By Gia Myers • Posted May 12, 2025

This is the fourth in a series of five profiles of the men to be ordained new priests for the Archdiocese of Philadelphia on May 17.

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Joy has been a strong thread in the life of Edward Town. As he prepares to become a priest for the Church of Philadelphia, he knows the importance of living as a joyful priest.

“There’s such a need for priests right now,” he said. “To be a person of joy in our world is important.”

Town is one of five transitional deacons who will be ordained to the priesthood by Archbishop Nelson Pérez on May 17 at 10 a.m. at the Cathedral Basilica of SS. Peter and Paul in Philadelphia.

Though he was born in Chalfont and baptized at St. Jude Parish, Town grew up in Southern Maryland with his father David, a civilian who worked for the U.S. Naval Air Station at Patuxent River, mother Kathryn, a homemaker, two sisters and his fraternal twin brother, Matthew, who is now an accountant in Philadelphia.

The family attended Mass at their local parish, and as a high school student Town volunteered with the parish’s confirmation preparation program for eighth grade students. He also enjoyed attending retreats with the parish youth group.

Town played on his high school’s tennis team, had leadership roles in student government, served as a student representative on his county’s Board of Education, and worked as a lifeguard during summers at the local swimming pool.

He later moved away from home to continue his education at Florida State University, earning dual bachelor’s degrees in economics and political science.

While living away from home for the first time, Town says he made the decision to grow in his Catholic faith and make it “an important part” of his identity, which eventually him to enter St. Charles Borromeo Seminary.

He calls pursuing a priestly vocation “an immense blessing” in his life, one that has brought him great joy.

“Your vocation is meant to lead you to joy,” he said. “God has a plan for each of us.”

Looking back on his seven years at St. Charles, Town feels privileged when he considers the many Masses he’s attended at numerous churches and special events in which he’s participated, including the National Eucharistic Congress last July in Indianapolis, and locally with the AbbeyFest music festival  and the Man Up Philly men’s conference.

“You see this great sense of faith,” he said, reflecting on those experiences.

Since returning to the Philadelphia area, Town calls St. Denis Parish in Havertown his home.

“There is such an energy and a joy at the parish,” he said, and everyone there has been “supportive and encouraging” of his vocation.

The parish’s pastor, Father Kevin Gallagher, a priest for 23 years, will be Town’s vesting priest at the prdination Mass. Town says he admires Father Gallagher’s “work ethic” and his close relationships with parishioners.

Father Gallagher gifted Town with a chalice, which once belonged to Father Sidney Burgoyne, former pastor emeritus at St. John Fisher Church in Boothwyn, who passed away in 2013.

Town describes the chalice as gold-plated and embedded with the engagement ring diamond, which belonged to Father Burgoyne’s mother.

The gift represents for Town the “sense of connection in the priesthood over generations,” he said, which he finds “very inspiring.”

“The Eucharist is the center of so much we do,” he said of the priesthood. “It’s meaningful to be entrusted with this chalice.”

As a transitional deacon, Town served at Our Lady of Calvary Parish in Northeast Philadelphia, where parishioners and the 600-plus students at the parish school provided Town with what he called a “great community” in which to serve.

His favorite saints who will be included in the Litany of the Saints prayer chanted at ordination include St. Therese of Lisieux — May 17 is also the 100th anniversary of her canonization — and St. Edward the Confessor, an 11th century English king with whom Town shares a first name and English heritage.

“He wasn’t the greatest king historically,” Town said of the saintly monarch, “but he’s a saint, so that’s hope for the rest of us.”

As his ordination to the priesthood approaches, Town looks forward to celebrating the sacraments, preaching and being of service to others.

When people come to the rectory seeking a priest to anoint the sick or hear confession, Town says he looks forward to being able to help them.

Town will celebrate his first Mass at St. Denis on Sunday, May 18 at 3 p.m. The homilist will be Father Shaun Mahoney, parochial administrator at Sacred Heart of Jesus Parish in Philadelphia.

For any young man considering the priesthood, Town advises to “trust in God’s goodness” and “never lose the joy” in your vocation, whatever it may be.

“So many young people have a desire to do something wonderful with their life, but there’s some fear and anxiety holding them back,” he said.

“I think my ordination day will be very joyful, for me and all the people who’ve supported me.”