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Year for Priests: Reflecting on vocation, ministry

Name: John Francis Cain

Birth date including year: February 3, 1923

Hometown: Born at Oyens, Iowa. Other ‘hometowns’: Larchwood, Pocahontas

Education: B.A. Loras College, Dubuque, Iowa; M.A. Drake University, Des Moines, Iowa; Ordination to theCatholic priesthood, Cathedral of the Epiphany, Sioux City, Iowa.

Ordination date: May 26, 1956

Current assignment: Retired at 1410 W 4th Street, Spencer, Iowa 51301-3001

Hobbies/interests: Going to the farm; reading Church and farm information; priest meetings; travel.

Describe your call to priesthood. My younger brother was already studying to become a priest; otherwise I would never have had the courage to ever begin. They never sent me home so I stayed until time to be ordained. Then Bishop Mueller called me to ordination.

Did anyone or anything provide you with inspiration to follow the call to priesthood? My brother, James, going first, otherwise, personal prayer and devotion to the Blessed Virgin Mary.

Was it a difficult decision to make? Yes, very, very difficult.

What do you enjoy most about being a priest? The Holy Eucharist and serving people.

Are there any particular devotions or prayers that are dear to your heart? Praying the Mass and the rosary and devotions honoring the Blessed Virgin Mary.

Why do you find priesthood to be a worthy vocation? The decision was based on the thought that I would care for farm animals (shepherd them, at which I was well trained) or shepherd people to God in heaven. The question then was, “What will make the most difference a hundred years from now?” The answer was obvious.

What would you say to a young man considering a vocation to the priesthood? The priesthood is a very good life. Jesus told us that if we were to be fishers of people the rewards would be one hundredfold in this life and in the next. That proved to be very true in this life. I am sure Jesus’ promise is true in heaven. We can trust Jesus, He can not deceive nor be deceived. Fifty-three years in the priesthood went by very fast. Prayer, being convinced that Jesus is truly and wholly present in the Holy Eucharist, frequent confession of sins, keeping the Commandments, living the Beatitudes, devotion to the Blessed Virgin Mary, and forever practicing chastity of life are absolutely essential. Jesus and Mary protect priests and all of us. These same essentials are required in married life, the single life and all of our lives. Priesthood is not any more difficult than any other life. Jesus said, “Keep the Commandments.” That is the same for all of us. It is the easiest and happiest way to live.