Parish Priest turned Naval Chaplain: Fr. Jason Allan

In the heart of Pilot Point, Texas, at St. Thomas Aquinas Parish, you’ll find Father Jason Allen—a dedicated priest with a heart for service and teaching. His life is a testament to God’s providence and the beauty of responding to a unique call to both the diocesan priesthood and military chaplaincy.

From Altar Server to Military Chaplain

Father Jason’s story begins as a cradle Catholic, growing up in Fort Worth, Texas. His journey to the priesthood was shaped by early experiences as an altar server. He said, “Serving brought me closer and helped me see the priesthood as something personal.”

As a high school student, Father Jason met his diocese’s vocation director, who encouraged him to discern the priesthood. After much prayer, he entered seminary right after graduating high school. Yet, his lifelong dream of joining the Navy never left him.

While in seminary, Father Jason sought permission from his bishop to serve as a military chaplain. With that blessing, he pursued training with the Navy and is now preparing to transition to active duty. Soon, he’ll serve sailors, Marines, and Coast Guard members, providing Sacraments and spiritual support wherever they’re stationed.

Formation and Simplicity During Uncertain Times

Father Jason’s seminary journey began with philosophy studies at Holy Trinity Seminary and continued at Catholic University of America. Though his studies were challenging, they helped him develop the intellectual foundation necessary for priestly ministry.

His formation included a pastoral year at a parish in Texas, where he immersed himself in parish life. But it was his diaconate ordination in March 2020, during the onset of the COVID-19 pandemic, that profoundly shaped his perspective. “There were only 50 people present, but the simplicity of it helped me focus on the reality of what I was committing to,” he reflected.

The Daily Life of Father Jason

Father Jason’s days begin before sunrise with a workout at his local CrossFit gym. Physical fitness is not only a personal priority but also preparation for his future role as a military chaplain.

After Mass and prayer, he spends his mornings visiting the sick, answering calls for anointing, and engaging with parishioners. Evenings often find him leading Bible studies, participating in theology on tap with young adults in the community, or enjoying dinner with families. “Visiting parishioners’ homes is one of my favorite things,” he shared. “ I have the custom of at all the masses one weekend, you know, saying, please invite me to your homes for dinner. I'd love to get to know y'all. It's been great for me because it's a way to get to know my parish a lot better, as opposed to, you know, just having like the line of people walk past me at the end of mass shaking hands, and that's kind of it.”

A Passion for Teaching

Teaching is one of Father Jason’s greatest joys. From Bible studies to homilies, he encourages his parishioners to be intentional in their faith. “Faith isn’t passive,” he said. “It requires active participation, especially at Mass.”

He challenges Catholics to engage fully in the liturgy, recognizing the communal prayer offered to God through the priest. “We’re not spectators at Mass. We’re participants in the union of heaven and earth,” he emphasized.

Finding Joy in Celibacy

Father Jason is a joyful witness to the beauty of celibacy. “As celibates we can find fulfillment and joy and intimacy.” Contrary to the vision the culture paints regarding chastity and celibacy. Father explained “the purpose of celibacy is to have intimacy with Christ above all else. And I would say the second most important thing of celibacy is to then be that witness to the world that sex is not the highest good. God is. To be what the Church calls the eschatological sign, to be a sign of that—as Christ himself says—in heaven they are neither married nor given in marriage. And so all of us will be celibate for eternity as we enter the new heaven and new earth after we die. And so the priest is that sign of heaven to the people.”

Advice for Discerners

Father Jason encourages young men discerning the priesthood to ask, “What is God calling me to?” Father stressed the key to all prayer, but especially discernment is building up a personal relationship with Christ. More than just reciting prayers and checking off boxes, Father reminds us that Christ is truly present to each of us in a powerful and personal way.

Father also recommended a great practice, taught to him by his jesuit spiritual director, known as the “empty chair” meditation—a practice of imagining Jesus sitting beside you during prayer. Father explained “this comes from the tradition of St. Ignatius, to have an empty chair with you in the chapel or wherever it is you're praying. Imagine Jesus sitting in that chair next to you. That's something that's been helpful for me, continuing this idea of intimacy, you know, wanting to see the Lord as our friend and someone we have this close and intimate relationship with. To see him sitting there next to me, much the same way as when I'm hanging out with friends, they're sitting in a chair next to me and we're just hanging out, talking about whatever, being able to have that same closeness with the Lord.”

A Lighthouse in the Fog

As Father Jason prepares for his next chapter as a military chaplain, his witness as a priest remains a beacon of hope, joy, and love for Christ. His life is a powerful reminder that God’s call, though challenging, leads to profound fulfillment and peace.

To hear more stories like Father Jason’s and dive deeper into the lives of priests, tune into Life of a Priest on the Tabella app. Let his story inspire you to seek the extraordinary call God may have for your life.