At 100 years old, Father James Joseph Kelly still starts his mornings calmly, without rushing or alarms, a habit he says has stayed with him for life.
“I’ve never used an alarm clock all my life,” Kelly tells TODAY.com. “I wake up almost automatically around 5.”
Born Jan. 7, 1925, Kelly is the longest-serving priest in the Archdiocese of Philadelphia, with over 75 years of ministry behind him.
Over the decades, he has led major parishes, taught generations of students and ministered to thousands of families.
He spent nearly 20 years as pastor of St. Pius X in Broomall, Pennsylvania, overseeing a parish of about 4,000 families and leading major improvements to the church, school and surrounding property.
Kelly is as dedicated to the church as he is to his daily structured routine. He was ordained in 1950 after entering the seminary in 1942, he says.
He shares that this past year, he was in intensive care for 90 days due to a hernia eruption and appendicitis.
Two operations and 27 stitches later, Kelly says, “They never expected me to live, but I did survive.”
Today, he lives at Acts Normandy Farms Estates in Blue Bell, Pennsylvania, where Kelly remains active in the community and continues to say Mass daily, either by himself or with others in his apartment.
Here are some of his healthy aging tips.
Consistency Is Key
Kelly’s longevity isn’t tied to extreme wellness routines, but rather consistency.
“I was very disciplined, self-disciplined all my life,” he says. “I never drank. I never smoked.”
“I always went to everything that was wholesome and that enriched my life,” Kelly adds. “I never wanted to destroy another day.”
Limit Carbs, Eat Whole Foods
After medical guidance, Kelly shares that he intentionally reduced carbohydrates and sweets — though he still loves to bake pies.
“I do not eat too many carbohydrates,” he says. “I deliberately decided not to eat them.”
Kelly likes to focus on foods that are good for his body.
“I drink a lot of milk,” he admits. “I love milk, and I eat a lot of fruit.”
His doctors, he says, have been pleased with the results.
“The cardiologist says my heart’s in pretty good condition,” Kelly adds. “My blood pressure’s wonderful. I’m happy, I’m contented.”
Stay Mentally Engaged
Mental stimulation has also played a major role in Kelly’s life. He’s well traveled, having visited around 150 countries, and has always immersed himself in music, learning and the arts.
“I love to cook, I travel, I love music, I love lectures, I like politics, I’ve been multifaceted,” Kelly shares.
Kelly says he always reads and emphasizes his love for music.
“When I was able, I went to the Philadelphia Orchestra every Friday afternoon,” he says. “That was my therapy.”
Kelly continues to attend local concerts and lectures.
Stay Social
Another one of Kelly’s favorite activities is socializing. He says that he likes to go out to dinner with friends or have them visit him.
“I have many friends, so I’m fortunate for the friends that I have, that I’m able to call upon them,” Kelly says. “They fulfill a socialization in my life that makes it wonderful.”
“That’s a nice thing about having another human being,” he adds.
As he approaches the new year and his 101st birthday, Kelly says he’s feeling the same, health wise.
“It’s no different than being 99,” he quips.
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