- 07 August, 2026
Fort Bragg, August 7, 2026 : For most Catholic priests, celebrating all seven sacraments over the course of a ministry is a profound privilege. For Father Mike Metz, a Catholic military chaplain serving at Fort Bragg, North Carolina, that extraordinary milestone came in a single day.
Reflecting on the experience, Father Metz described it with unmistakable enthusiasm.
"I felt like a big leaguer, hittin' a grand slam, celebrating all of those sacraments in one day," he said, expressing the joy of witnessing God's grace at work through the Church's sacramental life.
The remarkable day, which took place on 5 July, highlighted not only the richness of Catholic worship but also the vibrant faith of the military community he serves.
The following day, Father Metz shared the remarkable experience on social media, writing that St Michael the Archangel Catholic Community at Fort Bragg was "alive and well."
He described a community eager to encounter Christ through the sacraments, saying that "Jesus is breathing his Spirit into our people with gusto and grace."
The day began with the initiation of an adult into the Catholic Church. A man raised in the Mormon faith completed his journey into Catholicism by receiving Baptism, First Holy Communion, and Confirmation after reading his way into the Catholic faith with the support of his wife.
The celebration continued as Father Metz blessed the couple's marriage through the Sacrament of Matrimony, bringing the day's total to four sacraments.
Before Mass, he spent 45 minutes hearing confessions, administering the Sacrament of Reconciliation to numerous penitents. During Mass, he baptised five infants from military families stationed at the base.
Later that day, he visited a church volunteer diagnosed with cancer, administering the Anointing of the Sick before the man underwent surgery.
The seventh sacrament, Holy Orders, was not conferred that day but remained central to everything that unfolded. As Father Metz observed, it was through his own priestly ordination that he was able to celebrate all the other sacraments.
Father Metz's own vocation is closely intertwined with military service.
Born in San Diego, California, he is the second of eleven children in a family with a strong tradition of serving the United States. His father flew Navy fighter jets, while several of his siblings have also pursued military careers.
Initially, however, the priesthood was not part of his plans.
While studying at Christian Brothers University through the Reserve Officers' Training Corps (ROTC), Father Metz intended to pursue military service. It was only between his junior and senior years at university that he discerned a call to the priesthood, inspired in part by the growing need for Catholic military chaplains.
He was ordained in 2018 and, after serving in parish ministry, entered military chaplaincy, where he has spent the past five years accompanying soldiers and their families.
Today Father Metz serves at Fort Bragg, one of the world's largest military installations, supporting a Catholic population numbering in the thousands alongside another priest.
His ministry extends far beyond celebrating Mass.
Military life often places young service members under intense physical, emotional and spiritual pressure. Many soldiers are deployed far from home, preparing for dangerous missions or coping with the challenges of military service.
Father Metz says this reality creates a genuine openness to God's grace.
"Our guys are troublemakers," he jokes affectionately, noting that they also seek the healing offered through the Sacrament of Reconciliation.
As both a priest and qualified Army paratrooper, he shares many of the same experiences as the soldiers he serves. During airborne exercises, he even works as a jumpmaster, inspecting parachutes before troops leave the aircraft.
These shared experiences allow him to build trust while offering spiritual guidance rooted in the realities of military life.
As an Army chaplain, Father Metz's responsibilities extend beyond the Catholic community.
While he celebrates the sacraments for Catholics, he also helps ensure that soldiers of other faiths can practise their own religion freely.
His duties include arranging access to rabbis, imams and other religious leaders, as well as ensuring that soldiers receive appropriate religious materials and dietary provisions when required.
He also advises Army commanders on religious and cultural matters that could affect military operations, helping leaders understand the communities where soldiers are deployed.
Father Metz believes effective ministry begins not with preaching but with genuine relationships.
Drawing inspiration from early missionaries, he emphasises accompanying people where they are, learning their experiences and sharing their struggles before speaking about faith.
His extraordinary day of celebrating all seven sacraments serves as a powerful reminder of the Church's living mission within military communities.
For Father Metz, priesthood is not simply about administering sacred rites. It is about walking alongside people in every stage of life—from birth and marriage to illness, forgiveness and spiritual renewal—bringing Christ's presence wherever duty calls.
His experience at Fort Bragg stands as a remarkable witness to the enduring power of the sacraments and the unique role military chaplains play in serving both God and country.
Courtesy : Aleteia (Jenny Lark Snarski)
Picture Courtesy : Father Mike Metz
© 2026 CATHOLIC CONNECT POWERED BY ATCONLINE LLP
