Brother Raban Heyer of Subiaco Abbey in Arkansas took a significant step in his journey towards priesthood on July 15. After seven years as a Benedictine monk, Brother Raban was ordained as a deacon during a solemn Mass officiated by Bishop Anthony B. Taylor.
Surrounded by his family and loved ones, Brother Raban pledged his commitment to Bishop Taylor, who led the ordination ceremony. As part of the ritual, Brother Raban prostrated himself before the altar as the litany of saints was recited. Following the prayer of ordination by Bishop Taylor, Brother Raban was invested with the deacon’s dalmatic and stole.
Reflecting on the significance of the Eucharist, Brother Raban stated, The Eucharist is one of our great gifts bringing us together with the communion of saints. He expressed his joy and gratitude after the ordination, emphasizing the unity and spiritual connectedness he experienced.
During his homily, Bishop Taylor acknowledged the sacrifices Brother Raban had already made as a monk over the past seven years. Bishop Taylor highlighted the commitments Brother Raban had made, including the offering of his sexuality, vows of chastity, poverty, and conversion of life. The bishop emphasized the importance of obedience, a vow that Brother Raban had already taken as a monk and was renewing in his ordination to the diaconate. Bishop Taylor described obedience as more than mere compliance, stating that it involved listening deeply and allowing one’s heart to be transformed.
Born in Rochester, New York, Brother Raban pursued his education, earning a bachelor’s degree in English from Benedictine College in Kansas and a master’s degree in English from Ohio Dominican University. He relocated to Arkansas in 2011 to pursue a career in Catholic education and became a teacher and track coach at various schools.
Soon, Brother Raban felt a calling to something more profound. After discovering Subiaco Abbey through an online search, he connected with Father Elijah Owens, the assistant vocation director at the time. Impressed by the abbey’s stability and the opportunity to work while maintaining a balance with his spiritual life, Brother Raban joined Subiaco Abbey in 2014. He began teaching English and coaching once again, finding fulfillment in the interaction with students, brothers, and guests.
For the past two years, Brother Raban has been studying at Pontificio Sant’Anselmo (St. Anselm Pontifical University) in Rome to further his formation. The next phase of his journey will culminate in his ordination as a priest in 2024.
Abbot Elijah Owens, OSB, praised Brother Raban’s dedication and heart of service, describing him as a man of deep prayer and faith who sees and embodies Christ in others. Brother Raban’s ordination as a deacon not only serves his fellow monastic community but also the thousands who participate in their academy and retreat center.
The journey of Brother Raban Heyer is a testament to his unwavering commitment and spiritual calling. As he progresses towards priesthood, his ordination as a deacon marks a significant milestone in his vocation. The Catholic community at Subiaco Abbey and beyond eagerly anticipates his future ministry and the profound impact he will have on the lives of others.
