From Hanover to Holy Orders: The Inspiring Journey of Father Linus M. Martz '14

by Julia T. Fuhrman

At Delone Catholic, we often speak of fostering vocations and preparing students to be “Doers of the Word (James 1:22).” Few alumni embody this spirit quite like Father Linus Mary Martz ‘14, who recently achieved a profound milestone on his spiritual journey: ordination to the priesthood. While his time as a full-time student at Delone Catholic was brief—his senior year, 2013-14—his roots run deep, shaping the man he is today.

Father Linus, who prefers to be called by his religious name, was a familiar face at DCHS for several years before becoming a full-time student. He immersed himself in the Music, Drama, and Speech & Debate programs, which he credits as profoundly formative experiences. “The friendships along the way, the emphasis in the school... of trying to present a coherent mission, trying to form people in the virtues,” he recalls, highlighting the lasting impact of his time here. Mentors like Mr. Brian Yealy ’79 and school chaplain Rev. James Lease provided guidance, while Mr. Albert Kelly of the English department instilled the enduring principle of “remembering where you are from.” This idea of being rooted, whether in Hanover or one’s family background, proved crucial in discerning his vocation.

From Debate Skills to Dedicated Preaching

The discipline and quick thinking honed in the Music, Drama, and Speech & Debate programs proved surprisingly relevant to his future calling. “You have to speak and communicate intelligently and understandably to a wide variety of people, often on the spur of a moment,” Father Linus explains, noting how the program taught him to be concise, polite, and direct, and to grasp and respond to concerns quickly. These skills directly prepared him for the art of preaching.

After graduating from DCHS, Father Linus attended Christendom College in Front Royal, Va, where he studied philosophy, theology, and classics. It was there, amidst the beauty of the Shenandoah Valley, that his path to the priesthood truly began to clarify. A candid conversation with a roommate, who also felt a pull toward religious life, led them to “cold call the Dominicans.” This bold step led Father Linus to explore the Order of Preachers, a journey he had not previously considered.

The Path to Priesthood: A Dominican Calling

Entering the Dominican Order immediately after college, barely 21, Father Linus embarked on a rigorous path of formation. The first year, a non-academic novitiate, was dedicated to prayer, community life, and learning the traditions of the order. “During that time, anyone can leave because there’s no commitment made,” he notes, explaining that of the 16 men who began with his class, nine professed vows at the end of the year—a typical outcome.

His formation continued with academic studies at the Dominican House of Studies in Washington, D.C., combined with full-time apostolates during summers and part-time service during the academic year. These experiences included teaching RCIA classes, assisting in schools, and working with the Missionaries of Charity. Last year, he made his final vows as a religious, promising obedience until death, and was ordained a deacon, serving the Church through preaching, baptizing, and blessing marriages.

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AT RIGHT: Father Linus distributes the Eucharist at his ordination.

Father Linus M. Martz is the son of Troy and Mary Martz P’12, P’14, P’17, P’19, P’22, P’26, P’27.

A Beautiful Ordination and Future Ministry

The culmination of years of prayer and preparation arrived with his recent ordination to the priesthood. The event, preceded by a six-day retreat, was a “climax of many years of preparation, a lot of prayer and thought.” Surrounded by over 200 Dominican friars and the Most Rev. Anthony C. Fisher, O.P., Archbishop of Sydney, Father Linus found immense joy in the fraternity of the order. “One of the best things about religious life is the fraternity and the bond of charity uniting this motley collection of men into a single purpose, to preach for the salvation of souls,” he reflects.

Looking ahead, Father Linus will soon begin his first assignment in Westchester County, N.Y., serving as parochial vicar at Holy Innocents parish and assisting with campus ministry at local universities. His dedication to working with families and bringing people to the sacraments, particularly baptism and marriage, fills him with “a lot of hope and joy.”

Advice for our Squires: Walk Without Fear

Father Linus shares powerful advice for current Squires and recent graduates: “Walk without fear, live life to the full, make decisions and commitments to grow in the virtues, to commit to friends, to commit to other people.” He reiterates that embracing Delone Catholic’s motto, “Be Doers of the Word,” means being present and committed to those around you. This, he believes, will help you “seek out, find and follow God’s plan for your life, and to do that with great confidence and great hope, knowing that it is His grace that makes us strong. His mercy is more powerful than our sins.”

He reiterates that embracing Delone Catholic’s motto, “Be Doers of the Word,” means being present and committed to those around you.

Father Linus’s journey from our halls to holy orders is a testament to the enduring impact of a Delone Catholic education and an inspiring reminder that every path, when guided by faith, can lead to a life of profound purpose. Do you have any memories of Father Linus during his time at Delone Catholic, or have you witnessed the beauty of a religious ordination? We’d love to hear your thoughts!