"Once a day, find at least five minutes to sit in silence and listen to what God has to say."
BR. JOHN
RICKERT, OP
TAKE A MOMENT TO
MEET BR. JOHN!
What's your favorite prayer?
The Rosary or Psalm 116.
What's your favorite book of the Bible and why?
The Gospel of John is my favorite book of the Bible because of its theological and poetic depth. Plus, my patron and namesake (John the Beloved) is its traditional author! I have a particular affinity for its prologue and epilogue, and I find Mary's role throughout the Gospel beautiful.
What did you want to be growing up and why?
As a kindergartener, I wrote on a worksheet: "When I grow up, I want to be a monk, librarian, and a dad." I guess that's as close as you can get to a Dominican priest for a six year old?
If you could share a meal with any 4 individuals, living or dead, who would you pick and why?
I would want to go to Waffle House with Jesus, John the Evangelist, Thomas Aquinas, and Nietzsche because we could sort a few things out late into the night.
TIPS FROM BR. JOHN:
What's a tip you have for young men discerning priesthood/religious life?
Once a day, find at least five minutes to sit in silence and listen to what God has to say. This was hard for me because I am rather talkative -- even with the Tabernacle. (:
How old were you when you realized you wanted to pursue Religious Life? What was that process like for you?
After meeting the friars at SLU (where I went to college), I realized early into my sophomore year of undergrad that I deeply desired to live the Dominican Life. I began to go to Lauds and Mass weekly at the Priory in St. Louis and eventually decided to go on a Come and See!