The oldest of ten children, Deacon Ben Rivard was born and raised in a very faith-filled home in Michigan’s Upper Peninsula, but one experience at the Steubenville Youth Conference in his freshman year would truly set the course for his priestly vocation.
“I remember at one of these conferences,” Dcn. Ben says, “I had a really intimate and personal encounter with Jesus in the Eucharist, and that really changed everything for me.”
Once he claimed his faith as his own, the desire to become a priest wasn’t far behind.
“I remember thinking, gosh, it would be so cool if I was able to bring Jesus to other people in that way, through the Eucharist and through the Sacraments,” he says. This desire only became reaffirmed in his heart as he prayed, discerned, and attended more retreats and conferences, and he now looks forward to the opening chapter of his priestly ministry, serving as a holy priest, truly conformed to the heart of Jesus.
Dcn. Benjamin will be ordained on June 4th at St. Peter Cathedral in Marquette, MI. Please join us in praying for him as he prepares for the Sacrament of Holy Orders.