Born in Philadelphia, Robert Getz served and currently lives in New Mexico. A gentle-spirited man of God, Monsignor Getz successfully makes a real difference in the countless lives he touched.
Getz began his vocation as a Trappist Monk at the Abbey of Gethsemani in Kentucky in 1951. Forced to leave the monastery due to severe illness, he was ordained to the diocesan priesthood in 1961. He recently celebrated sixty years of priesthood.
Monsignor Getz established two parishes and two Catholic schools. In 1997, he was named Monsignor by His Holiness Pope John Paul II as a Papal Chamberlain. In 2009, elevated to Protonotary Apostolic Monsignor by Pope Benedict XVI. Getz led the successful effort for his 161-year-old church, his last parish assignment, awarded Basilica designation by the Vatican. He was recognized as a Corps Colonel for his fourteen years of military chaplaincy. President Johnson awarded Fr. Bob Getz a presidential medal for work on the Chamizal Border Settlement with Mexico.
Getz's love of writing began in high school, where he was the editor-in-chief of the newspaper and valedictorian of his class at West Catholic High School for Boys in Philadelphia. National magazines, The Priest, and America Magazine, and diocesan publications published his articles on priesthood.
Getz authored the novel Vatican Wealth and a Pope's Pipe Dreams and the non-fiction work, The Unique Charism of Diocesan Priestly Spirituality.
The Unique Charism of Diocesan Priestly Spirituality, self-published Mar 2020, explores the beliefs of Robert Getz that diocesan priestly functioning has unique inclusivity that has only just begun to be realized.
Drawing upon his prayer, reflection, writing, and pastoring fourteen parish communities and eight missions in two historic dioceses, he wrote The Unique Charism of Diocesan Priestly Spirituality in hopes of sharing his experiences with the world.
Self-published, the non-fiction book is listed on Amazon, Barnes and Noble, and other global sites. It can be purchased via print on demand at the BookBaby storefront. Available in softcover or E-book.
BookBaby: https://store.bookbaby.com/book/The-Unique-Charism-of-Diocesan-Priestly…
Facebook: www.facebook.com/priestlyspirituality
A light-hearted, witty and provocative novel, Vatican Wealth and Pope's Pipe Dreams, offers a solution for global peacemaking. Despite the complex subject, Getz provides a believable pathway to peace. Brilliant in the way he compels the reader to enter the dialogue, Getz makes the reader feel a part of the meaningful discussions and worldly decisions. Conceptualized decades ago, the plot remains as fresh as today's headlines.
Self-published by BookBaby, where it can be purchased via print on demand at the storefront. The novel is available in softcover or E-book. The book is available via Amazon, Barnes and Noble, and other global sites.
Amazon: https://www.amazon.com/Vatican-Wealth-Popes-Dreams-Peace/
BookBaby: https://store.bookbaby.com/book/Vatican-Wealth-and-a-Popes-Pipe-Dreams
Monsignor Getz is new to social media but has Facebook pages for books and an author’s page: www.facebook.com/popespipedreamsbook
Getz recently completed a third book reflective of his time at the Abbey of Gethsemani. Getz worked in the monastery's photo lab with Thomas Merton (Fr. Louis) and Mathew McGunigle (Brother Matthew), formerly of Broadway and Hollywood fame. Titled Matthew, Merton, and Me, Reflections of a Life of Grace, the book is unpublished.
Education
1955-1961 Theology, St. Thomas College, Denver, Colorado
1971 Master, Education and Counseling, University of Texas, El Paso
1988 Master, Spirituality, University of San Francisco
Graduate studies at Notre Dame University & Catholic University
