PARK RIDGE—Monsignor James C. Turro, the oldest priest in the Archdiocese of Newark, marked his 104th birthday with a week of celebrations surrounded by family, parishioners and well-wishers at Our Lady of Mercy Church.
The celebrations began Jan. 24, when Turro’s relatives traveled from across the United States to visit him at the parish rectory for an early birthday gathering. A major snowstorm that weekend prevented a celebration on his actual birthday, Jan. 26, though he received numerous phone calls and cards from friends around the world.
During Mass on Jan. 27, the congregation sang “Happy Birthday,” and the parish music director performed several of the monsignor’s favorite hymns.
In the days that followed, parish community members stopped by the rectory to extend their greetings, many bringing his favorite dessert—chocolate cake. The weeklong celebration concluded Feb. 1 with a “Muffins with Monsignor” gathering for parishioners after Mass.
“I thought I’d like being a priest, but I didn’t know how much I would enjoy it until I actually put my hands to it,” Turro said in a feature the Archdiocese of Newark shared with Pascack Press on Feb. 6, reflecting on his 104 years of life and 78 years of ministry. “I never reached a point where I stopped to think, am I doing the right thing? I felt God wanted me to be a priest, so I went ahead with it.”
Faith was central to Turro’s life while growing up in Jersey City, where he attended St. Paul of the Cross Elementary School and St. Peter’s Prep. Partly inspired by two aunts, who were Sisters of Charity, he was ordained a priest in 1948 and began his ministry at Holy Trinity Church in Hackensack. After two years, he enrolled at the Catholic University of America in Washington, D.C., earning a licentiate in sacred theology, followed by a licentiate in sacred Scripture from the Pontifical Biblical Institute in Rome. He later joined the faculty of Immaculate Conception Seminary.
Turro’s most significant impact came through his work as a seminary professor, forming generations of priests over 60 years and writing several books. The seminary library at Seton Hall University now bears his name. But throughout his academic career, he remained active in parish ministry, serving as weekend assistant at Our Lady of Mercy Church. There he became known for his concise homilies that rarely exceeded a single page.
Today, Turro is a beloved presence in Park Ridge. Parishioners and visitors from across the country visit him at the rectory, and he regularly speaks with students from Our Lady of Mercy Academy after daily Mass. He also remains active in ministry, celebrating Mass and offering pastoral counsel as needed. Over the years, he has presided over approximately 900 baptisms and 400 weddings in Park Ridge alone.
When asked what advice he would offer, Monsignor Turro pointed to a simple guiding principle: “Here I am, Lord, do with me what thou wilt.”
To hear more from Monsignor Turro, watch his video interview or read the transcript.
Birthday cards may be sent to Monsignor Turro at Our Lady of Mercy Rectory, 2 Fremont Ave., Park Ridge, NJ 07656.
About the Archdiocese of Newark
The Archdiocese of Newark serves 1.3 million Catholics across northern New Jersey’s Bergen, Essex, Hudson and Union counties. Led by Cardinal Joseph W. Tobin, C.Ss.R., the sixth archbishop of Newark, the Archdiocese includes 211 parishes, 64 Catholic schools, the Immaculate Conception Seminary School of Theology, St. Andrew’s Hall College Seminary, Redemptoris Mater Seminary and numerous missions and ministries dedicated to faith, education and social service. For more information, visit www.rcan.org.
— Via Sean Quinn for the Archdiocese of Newark