Fr. Joshua Munterim, SVD
Embracing the Journey: The First Year as a Missionary Priest from Ghana to Louisiana
Fr. Joshua Munterim, SVD’s journey from a young boy in Ghana to a newly ordained priest with the Divine Word Missionaries is a story of faith, resilience, and discovery. Raised by a Catholic mother and a father who followed traditional African religion, Fr. Joshua found his faith nurtured in an SVD parish operated by Divine Word Missionaries, inspiring him with their devotion and service. Watching these priests drive people to the hospital and secure scholarships for local youth left a lasting impression on him, sparking his own call to the priesthood.
“I saw the priests and they were very outgoing, mingling with people. I was inspired by the way they helped,” Fr. Joshua reflects. Yet, as he progressed through his formation—first in Ghana, then for theology in Kenya—he realized that priesthood required a deeper understanding. His time in Kenya during his pastoral year experience allowed him to learn a little Swahili, adapt to new customs, and serve in a parish during COVID-19, gaining a sense of both the challenges and the joys of missionary life. “I’ve really purified my vocation along the way,” he said. “I thought a priest was just somebody who is there to help people sort out their problems, but I came to know it’s deeper than that.”
Ordained in Ghana in July 2023, Fr. Joshua is now in the United States, preparing for his first assignment at Holy Ghost Parish in Opelousas, Louisiana. “I chose the Southern Province in the U.S. as one of my options, but I never thought I would be assigned here,” he says with a smile. Although he initially dreamed of serving in South America to learn Spanish, he’s embracing this opportunity to experience the American church and culture. He’s noticed some cultural differences, such as the formality of work culture and customs around funerals. “I was at a parish in the Catholic Diocese of Lafayette, and there was a funeral Mass. I saw people kiss the body. That was new to me,” he recalls. After reflecting, he understood it as the family’s way of expressing love to the deceased, and while it surprised him at first, he says he won’t be shocked if he sees it again. Another adjustment was learning that some Americans are cremated, with an urn instead of a body at the funeral Mass. He acknowledges that while it’s new for him, he’s open to understanding this custom he was previously unfamiliar with.
As he prepares to serve in Opelousas, Fr. Joshua is eager to share his unique perspective and learn from the community. “I’m looking forward to learning from the people, and also trying to offer them a different perspective of my experience as a young priest from Africa,” he said. Fr. Joshua sees his role as building bridges between cultures, enriched by the international experiences he’s had along the way. For him, this intercultural journey is one of the most rewarding aspects of missionary life—an opportunity not only to share his faith but to broaden his understanding of humanity across diverse cultures.
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