In 1971, for the first time, I laid my “southern eyes” on the Geigers; two natural brothers and Redemptorist priests who helped to run the minor seminary of St. Mary’s in North East, PA. Fr. James, our Superior, reminded me of the star of Star Trek (Captain Kirk) and Fr. Bill, our Minister, reminded me of Fred Flintstone!

As a kid they were larger than life and natural heroes. I feel blessed that our paths crossed, and they both influenced my Redemptorist life and future mission. Years ago, we prayed a farewell to Fr. Bill, and I shared with Fr. James at that time a story that concluded with my admitting that I had believed Fr. Bill to be a maintenance man who was able to say Mass! (Later, I learned better!)

After our time together in formation, Fr. James and I crossed missionary paths many times and for many years. He would never be my religious superior again, but we often shared ministry and discernment. Fr. James, like many of his contemporaries from formation (Frs. Spillane, Brennan, McGowan) was able to accept the change from formation ministry to very intense missionary life in places and cultures that they had never lived in. To this day I am so inspired by their flexibility, missionary zeal, and willingness to follow the Holy Redeemer wherever He may lead.

Fr. James and I shared life in the former Vice Province of Richmond. We both experienced the richness of parish life and working in the“Bible Belt” where Catholics are still a minority. Fr. Jim did not speak Spanish but as pastor of our parish in Concord, North Carolina, he not only guided the building of the new parish church in 2004, but he also advocated the founding of a ministry to reach out to the growing Hispanic community in Concord. His vision bore fruit and our Hispanic membership is almost half of the parish now.

Before his parish ministry in the Vice Province, Fr. James continued the history of parish mission preaching in the South. In his “classic”pick-up truck, he crossed state after state in the South preaching “missions” and evangelizing. As a young priest, I was blessed to preach one of my first parish missions with Fr. James and he taught me much about the blessing and challenges of evangelization. He was a very effective preacher and a faithful proclaimer of the Redemptorist message: With Him is Plentiful Redemption!

In these days when our Congregation is calling us to rediscover and commit to a more missionary life, I would hold up the life of Fr. James Geiger as a powerful example of missionary flexibility and openness to the movement of the Spirit. Fr. James blessed the lives of thousands of people who heard him preach, experienced his compassionate ministry and leadership, and felt the warmth of his love and support. May this son of St. Alphonsus rest in peace and enjoy the Redeemer’s promises of Eternal Life.