March 29, 2022

With your support for seminarian education through the ArchdioceseOne special appeal, you are supporting seminarians like Deacon Ben (below) as he completes his education and the discernment process to becoming a priest. Deacon Ben will be ordained a priest on May 28, 2022 at the Cathedral of St. Raphael, and your generous support has helped to cover the costs of the Mundelein Seminary for Ben's education. 

So far, $5.5 million has been raised for the ArchdioceseOne special appeal. Over $2.5 million of this amount in unrestricted, and $675,556 has been restricted for Seminary Education. Thank you for your support for seminarians like Ben. Read more about his story below: 

What does a typical day look like for you at Mundelein?

Normally I wake up in the morning and pray before the Blessed Sacrament. Then we have morning prayer and Mass. Breakfast, morning coffee, and morning classes follow after that. Then we have lunch and may have one or two classes in the afternoon. Then I like to exercise in our gym. We then have evening prayer with a different group each weekday evening followed by dinner. Then the evening is time for homework and / or socializing with the other seminarians. On the weekends, we spend time at our parish assignments, homework, or socializing.

How has life at Mundelein (major seminary) differed from your time spent at the Vianney House and Loras College (minor seminary)?

My time at the Vianney House was different in that we had a smaller community of between 9-16 guys in one house, studied philosophy primarily, and took classes with other students who were not seminarians on the campus at Loras. There were mostly only guys from Iowa or specifically the Archdiocese of Dubuque living at the Vianney House. 

At Mundelein, we have had between 100-160 men studying from all around the country and some international students as well. We take primarily theology and take classes only with other seminarians. The campus is beautiful and massive at Mundelein. Chicagoland also has a different culture than Iowa does. 

Can you describe an especially impactful experience or memory from your time at Mundelein?

One of the most powerful moments that I have had in my time at Mundelein was spending time on pilgrimage in the Holy Land. Specifically, I was moved by the vigil of prayer that some of us seminarians had in the Basilica of the Holy Sepulcher (site of Jesus' death and resurrection). Praying in the empty tomb and at the site of the crucifixion were  profound experiences where Jesus' sacrifice and resurrection hit home in a new way for me. It encouraged me to share this good news more with others.

How has it been forming a brotherhood with your fellow seminarians who will also be serving in ministry in the Archdiocese of Dubuque?

Forming brotherhood with my fellow seminarians is one of the greatest gifts of seminary formation for me. On the human level, it has been great to share coffee, good conversation, and quality time with the guys. On a spiritual level, I have also had the privilege to form deeper spiritual friendships with my brothers founded on sharing and prayer. I trust these friendships will continue as I serve with them as a priest in the Archdiocese.

What are you most looking forward to in your first year of priesthood?

I look forward to celebrating Mass and teaching people about how to more fully participate in Mass.

How do you feel that seminary has prepared you for some of the more challenging aspects of being a pastor?

On the one hand, I don't think I will ever be fully ready for pastoring / priesthood. In the same way that a parent can't be fully ready until they have children and begin to raise them. On the other hand, I believe my seminary experience has given me the opportunity to develop a good foundation of deeper habits of mind and heart that I should have as a pastor: a prayer life, a love for God's people, knowledge of Church teaching, and self knowledge. The challenges that I face as a priest won't be easy, but I know that God and good mentors will help me through them.

What would you say to someone who has made a gift through ArchdioceseOne to support seminary education?

First, thank you. Second, your gift has the capacity to bear good fruit for the Kingdom of God for generations. The seminary formation that I have received has been very good. If men receive this formation with an open heart, we will have a generation of good priests who can help to make disciples and bring light to a dark world.

All photos courtesy of Deacon Ben

Deacon Ben grew up in Cedar Rapids, IA, and is the youngest of three brothers. Ben graduated from Xavier High School in 2014 and then enrolled at St. Pius X Seminary at Loras College the following fall in order to discern if God was calling him to the priesthood, following a call that he first heard and began exploring in high school.

Now Ben is enjoying his studies as a fourth year theologian at Mundelein Seminary in Mundelein, Illinois. In his free time, he enjoys sports (especially supporting the Packers), politics, movies, playing cards, and camping with friends. 

Deacon Ben will be ordained a priest on May 28, 2022 at the Cathedral of St. Raphael.