Jennifer H. Dorsey, now known as Mother Jen, was ordained as a priest on Sunday by William H. Love, bishop of the Episcopal Diocese of Albany, at St. Boniface Episcopal Church in Guilderland.

“Mystical” is how Dorsey describes the ceremony, in this week’s podcast, as other clergy lay hands on her and prayed God would descend upon her and make her a priest. As a child in northern New Jersey, Dorsey grew up in the Episcopal Church and always loved it.

“I felt like this is home and where I was meant to be,” she says.

As an adult, she traveled the country, studying and teaching history, and ended up back in the Northeast, as a professor of American history at Siena College. She involves her students in community projects, meant to help them think more broadly about the value of history; they also learn that active citizenship is about more than voting.

The Franciscan and liberal arts traditions at Siena teach students to be problem-solvers, Dorsey said, adding, “Service and advocacy and education all go together… to advance the good of the Capital Region.” As church-going declines nationwide, Dorsey sees anxiety levels rising and doesn’t think yoga or diet programs are adequate for managing that anxiety.

“As a culture, our anxiety levels are just beyond the pale …,” said Dorsey. “Religion is such an important tool for me to feel grounded and safe and protected by God who is steadfast in his kindness and love.”