Because the Shepherds Need Joy: An Interview with Fr. Joseph Illo

Fr. Joseph Illo celebrating Mass (Photo courtesy of Fr. Illo)

Because the Shepherds Need Joy | Jim Graves | CWR

Father Joseph Illo discusses plans to open the San Francisco Oratory of St. Philip Neri

Father Joseph Illo is planning to open the San Francisco Oratory of St. Philip Neri, an institute in the Catholic Church which allows “secular” parish priests the opportunity to live in community under a rule of life. The oratory was approved by San Francisco Archbishop Salvatore Cordileone, who welcomed the new community provided needed funds were raised. Fr. Illo requested $220,000 from followers of his blog (www.frilloblog.com); he has currently received 130 percent of his requested donation amount. The donations will cover living expenses until the community can become financially self-sustaining.

Fr. Illo was born in New York and grew up in New Jersey and Pennsylvania. He worked with Ignatius Press after graduating college, subsequently pursuing studies for the priesthood. He was ordained a priest for the Diocese of Stockton, California in 1991. His parish assignments include serving as pastor of St. Joseph Church in Modesto, California from 2000 to 2012.

Known for his outspoken fidelity to Catholic teaching, Fr. Illo made the news when he wrote his parishioners in 2008, “If you are one of the 54 percent of Catholics who voted for a pro-abortion candidate, you were clear on his position, and you knew the gravity of the question, I urge you to go to confession before receiving Communion.”

Since 2012, he has served as chaplain at Thomas Aquinas College in Santa Paula, California. Fr. Illo [pronounced I-low] recently spoke to Catholic World Report.

CWR: What made you want to become a priest?

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