Maryknoll Father John Francis Soltis, 74, was born in Minneapolis, Minn., and has one sister. He attended Maryknoll College and Seminary before being ordained a priest for the Catholic Foreign Mission Society of America (Maryknoll) in Maryknoll, N.Y., on June 9, 1962. Father Soltis served as a missionary in Korea for 30 years and worked in development in the United States for eight. He arrived in Hawaii in June 2001 and has worked at St. Pius X Parish in Manoa and at St. Joseph Parish in Hilo. Father Soltis is currently in residence at St. Philomena Parish in Salt Lake. He is now the only Maryknoll priest in Hawaii.
1. Who do you consider to be a hero in your life?
It would be Father Vincent Capodanno, a Maryknoll Missioner assigned to Taiwan. He joined the Chaplain Corps, became a Navy chaplain for the Marines, and was assigned to Vietnam. He was a priest dedicated to the fighting Marines. While administrating to the wounded in the battlefield, Father Capodanno himself was killed after covering one young man’s body with his own, his body riddled with 27 bullets. I admire him for his dedication and service to others.
2. Do you have any hobbies?
I have worked with stained glass for several years. I have also done Korean calligraphy which I studied while in Korea and I am learning and enjoying Oriental art. I also enjoy reading novels and am a moviegoer.
3. What is your favorite movie?
It would have to be “West Side Story.” I like the plot itself — a Romeo and Juliet love story — plus the dancing and the vibrancy of the way it was done. It was a very emotional and well-performed tale. It’s a movie for the ages!
4. What is your favorite Bible passage?
Luke 1:76, the Canticle of Zechariah. “And … you will go before the Lord to prepare a way for him.” John the Baptist is my patron saint, and as a missionary in Korea, these were the words which I tried to live — to prepare a way for the Lord among those with whom I was working.
5. Where is the one place you have never been but always wanted to visit?
Last year I visited Poland, the country of my father. However, I was chaplain on a pilgrimage and we didn’t get to visit the city of his birth. One day I hope to return and fulfill this hope of mine to visit Rapka, Poland.
6. What is your favorite book?
“The Seeds of the Desert” by Rene Voillaume. It’s about Charles de Foucauld. His life from sinner to hermit attracted me while in the seminary. Another great drawing card for me was reading books about St. Francis of Assisi. I think that if I didn’t become a Maryknoll missioner, my dream would have been to follow St. Francis.
7. What book are you reading now?
I am reading “His Way” by Father David Knight. It is helping me to see the church today in a realistic way. It is about knowing Jesus Christ and, in doing so, how I can help others come to find the Lord in their lives.
8. What is your hidden talent?
It is so well hidden that I have yet to find it.