By Sam Smith

Growing up, Upper School history teacher Brian Justice (‘85) always felt pulled to religion and a path of spiritualism. Throughout his life, faith and theology have been passions for Justice that have been incorporated into not only his individual life at home, but also his education and career.

Justice attended Collegiate from Kindergarten through 12th grade. High school was a time of self-discovery, and Justice explains that “a lot of the passions that are present in my life now were developed when I was young.” 

Portrait of Thomas Merton. Photo credit: Jim Forest via Flickr.

Justice was an active student, both in the classroom and on the court. While he excelled in basketball, football, and baseball, he also began gaining interest in subjects like “history, poetry, literature, and particularly religion.”

“My interest [in religion] was sparked by my friends and my teachers. One history teacher in particular, Bob Lemire.” Justice had a tight relationship with Lemire, and Lemire gave Justice a book that would change his life: Thomas Merton’s The Seven Storey Mountain. Merton was an American Trappist monk who became an accomplished author in the mid-20th century, and this book was an autobiography detailing Merton’s experiences with faith and religion. To Justice, the book was “not only informative, it was transformative. It changed my life.” He explained how the book “opened up new dimensions of the spirit that I didn’t know existed.”

After Collegiate, Justice attended the University of Virginia, where he received a bachelor’s degree in history and a master’s degree in religious studies, finishing his studies in 1991. Following graduation, Justice worked multiple jobs around Charlottesville before pursuing a role at Tidewater Academy in Wakefield, Virginia as a history teacher. Justice worked at Tidewater for three years before coming back to Collegiate in 1996.

Once at Collegiate, Justice began incorporating religion into his academic teachings, and he began teaching electives specifically focused on world religions. He teaches the required history class Comparative World Religion, a class that dives into humanities’ major religions, connecting them all to a larger theme of spirituality. Justice has taught this class for ten years and speaks of how he has a “deep love for and appreciation of all of the world’s religious traditions,” which he shares through this class.

Throughout his career, Justice has been successful in finding a way to satisfy his love for academics and religion and combine them. However, recently, “it was time to take the next step.” 

In 2016, Justice began the long and intense process of becoming ordained in the Episcopal Church as a Deacon. A Deacon is a minister of service. “My particular focus in ministry is for groups of people, primarily the poor, sick, weak, and lonely. I work for the vulnerable populations.” In order to become a Deacon, there are three required stages: the interviews, the education, and the internship.

The first step to becoming ordained was the interviews. For this portion of the process, Justice explains that “the key word here is discernment.” This stage of the process entails speaking with numerous individuals, spiritual groups, and committees, primarily to figure out if not only you are right for this job, but also if this job is right for you. “Ministry is not just a job, it’s like a calling. It’s like a way of life. Something that you’re being called to do, by the spirit in you.” 

The second step was educational learning and training. “This is work that demands your whole self; your mind, spirit, and emotions.” Justice attended the Deacon School of Virginia, where he learned the necessary skills and got the appropriate education for the job. Justice finished the two-year education program in January 2021.

The third and final step to becoming a Deacon was the year-long internship, which Justice completed at the Holy Comforter Episcopal Church on Monument Avenue. The internship was a “full immersion into clergy life,” which included “teaching, writing, pastoral care, and leading Sunday services.”

Justice leading Collegiate’s Lessons and Carols service in 2021. Photo credit: Brian Justice.

As Justice went through the internship process, he was faced with the monumental challenge that COVID-19 posed during the process. He says, “It was an amazing challenge and an amazing shift in everything.” Not being able to meet in person was extremely problematic in the clergy, especially “because a lot of clergy work and church work is about being with the people in person. You can stream services and meetings… but that’s not the same as being with people in the hospital or with people who are dying, and being with their families.” Like other members of the clergy in houses of worship everywhere, Justice had to make the best of the situation and worked extensively to provide the service that people in need required. These services included virtual sermons, virtual clerical visits to those in need, and virtual meetings.

Today, Justice enjoys being able to do his clergy work in person and with the benefits that in-person interactions bring. A face-to-face interaction elevates the significance of the conversation and provides both parties involved with a greater sense of companionship. Justice is extremely grateful for the opportunity to have his interactions be in-person, and he takes advantage of this privilege. Today, he is responsible for not only leading services and giving sermons, but also offering guidance and spiritual advice to those who are underprivileged and going through hard times.

It seems that Justice’s passion for spirituality has not only been highly beneficial to him, but also to everyone around him. Always walking with a smile and cheerful demeanor, Justice is quick to greet and talk with everyone. He is extremely welcoming and makes it clear that his doors are open for questions regarding school, spirituality, and life in general.

As for the future, Justice feels content with where he is, both in his work as a teacher and as a Deacon. That being said, Justice explained how, “you’re always trying to figure out what you’re supposed to do, and that process goes on for me. I’m always trying to remain open to the adventure, to see what happens next.”