Fr. John Bilenki '13 Named Full-Time Chaplain

The following letter was shared with the school community on May 29, 2026:

Dear Mount Saint Joseph Community, 

We are pleased to announce that, effective July 1, 2026, Father John Bilenki ’13 has been appointed by the Archbishop of Baltimore to serve as Mount Saint Joseph’s full-time Priest Chaplain. Fr. John has faithfully served the past two years as our part-time chaplain while also serving as Associate Pastor at St. Jane Frances de Chantal and Our Lady of the Chesapeake. 

After graduating from Mount Saint Joseph in 2013, Fr. John went on to study theology at Mount St. Mary’s University before entering priestly formation in 2017. His formation included one year at St. Mary's Seminary in Baltimore and four years at the Pontifical North American College in Rome. He served his pastoral year at St. John the Evangelist in Severna Park. Fr. John was ordained to the priesthood in 2023 and returned to Rome to complete advanced studies in Spiritual Theology at the Angelicum. 

As Priest Chaplain, Fr. John will serve as the chief spiritual leader of the Mount Saint Joseph community, helping to foster a vibrant Catholic identity rooted in the Xaverian Charism. In this expanded full-time role, he will support the spiritual formation of our students, faculty, staff, and families through sacramental ministry, pastoral care, theological leadership, and daily presence on campus. He will celebrate Masses and prayer services, assist with retreats, offer spiritual guidance, teach theology courses, and work closely with Campus Ministry and the Theology Department to strengthen faith formation across our community. 

As an alumnus, priest, and dedicated spiritual leader, Fr. John brings a deep understanding of the mission, traditions, and brotherhood that define Mount Saint Joseph. We are grateful for his continued commitment to The Mount and look forward to the many ways he will enrich the spiritual life of our community in the years ahead. Please join us in congratulating and welcoming him into this new role. 

God Bless and Go Gaels, 

Brendan Donohue 
President 

Robert Peace 
Principal