Brother Raban Heyer, OSB, ordained priest

Published: November 27, 2024

Bishop Francis I. Malone of the Diocese of Shreveport ordained Brother Raban Heyer, OSB, to the priesthood on Friday, Nov. 22 at St. Benedict Church on the grounds of Subiaco Abbey. Abbot Elijah Owens, OSB, and other priests concelebrated the Mass. A reception followed in Fuhrmann Hall.

Following his ordination, Father Raban, 35, returned to teaching as Subiaco Academy's English department chair and cross-country coach. He recently completed his theology studies at Pontifical Athenaeum of Sant'Anselmo (St. Anselm Pontifical University) in Rome. As part of his formation for priesthood, he was ordained to the transitional diaconate in July 2023.

Born Clifford Heyer in Rochester, N.Y., he grew up in Iowa and Wisconsin as the second oldest of seven siblings. In 2011, he moved to Arkansas, where he took a job as a teacher and track and cross country coach, first at St. Joseph High School in Pine Bluff, then at Christ the King School in Little Rock, where he first met Bishop Malone, who was then the pastor of Christ the King Church. 

In 2014, Heyer entered Subiaco Abbey, where he made his first profession of solemn vows as a Benedictine monk in 2016 and final vows in 2018. In the fall of 2019, he began his formation for the priesthood. To learn more, read Arkansas Catholic.

Subiaco Abbey is a community of monks serving God by prayer and work in the tradition of the Swiss-American Congregation. In fidelity to that Benedictine tradition they proclaim the Gospel through monastic and private prayer, hospitality, retreats and spiritual direction, education, parish, diocesan and special ministries. To learn more, visit Subiaco Abbey.