Father Michael Joly is grateful to be first and foremost a son with a spiritual core making his way through a material and temporary world.  This realization impacts how he thinks, believes, lives works and writes songs.  He came into this world in 1966 and was born into a large New England family.  Life growing up was colorful to say the least.

At six years-of-age Mike lost his eyesight due to a brain tumor.  Hospitalized over a prolonged period of time, he had to readjust to the world he once could see, even needing to crawl around for awhile, so atrophied were his legs from being immobile. He was mainstreamed into public school (unprecedented at the time). Handicapped kids were expected to attend specialized schools.

He was a typical child, though blind: attended scouts, worked hard to excel in school, got involved in music in high school, wrestled on the high school team (baseball didn’t work). He obtained a bachelors of Science degree in Human Resource Management and wondered if this was all there was in this world.

Raised Catholic, he was typical of many, not quite aware of the transformative grace, power and love offered from the Lord in His Body, the Church. In his late teen years Mike experienced a life-changing retreat and his faith came alive in him in a way that would not accept spiritual lukewarmness any longer. His musical interests turned to sacred music. He worked as choir director for six years while advancing through undergrad work.

The Lord’s mercy would not permit this longing heart to be left unaware of the source of its fulfillment, the Lord Himself. On a dreary, rainy day, while standing at the front entrance of a college auditorium, waiting for a ride home, Mike asked himself, “is this all there is?”

“I had many things moving in the right direction as the world would prescribe for one’s success, but I was empty. It would be awful if this was all there was. So I asked that question, and the answer was immediate. I instantly sensed a real ‘burning’ from my fingers through my whole body. Along with this sensation a non-spoken voice left this impression, ‘Check out the seminary.’

My whole world opened up with my seminary formation which I loved. The Lord was working overtime on this broken man. Ordained in November of 1994, I continue to be amazed at how God’s mercy transforms my life and reveals the power of His Kingdom around me.”

Father Mike Joly has worked in parish ministry, college and high school campus ministry, served as retreat director for a large retreat center, and he conducts parish missions, rallies, concerts, and offers presentations on a variety of topics, both within the spiritual realm and in secular venues when asked to bring his insights.

“Are not our hearts burning inside as He walks by our side?”