Haitian-born Father Robert Pierre-Louis aspires to be “a priest according to the heart of Mary and Jesus.”
Born in Port de Paix, Haiti, he is the only son of Francina and the late Nicholas Pierre-Louis. He grew up as a member of St. Louis de Montfort Church, Port de Paix.
He attended his local elementary school, high school and college, where he earned his bachelor’s degree in industrial and domestic electricity.
From age seven, Father Pierre-Louis said he “felt the appeal of the Lord” and knew he was called to be a priest.
He became an altar server, parish sacristan, president of the liturgical and choir committees, and by age 16, his pastor entrusted to him the responsibility of formation for the altar servers. He later started the Youth Team of Our Lady, a young adult ministry at his parish.
As a young adult, he moved to Fort Lauderdale, Fla., to live with his grandmother while discerning his path. He was introduced to a member of the Community of St. John, based in Lyon, France, and felt drawn to this religious community. He entered formation in Princeville, Ill., and went to continue his studies and formation in France.
For his pastoral formation, he was sent to Our Lady of Mount Carmel parish, Orange, N.J., where he oversaw the altar server ministry, served as a catechist, helped with the Haitian choir and assisted with campus ministry at Seton Hall University, South Orange.
While serving in the parish, he became more aware of the shortage of diocesan priests in the U.S. and brought his concern to God in prayer.
Through prayer, he felt God calling him to leave the community of religious brothers that had been his family for eight years and serve the Church in another way.
Eager to serve people from many nations, he applied to the Diocese of Brooklyn after having heard of its great diversity.
He was accepted into the diocese and enrolled at the Seminary of the Immaculate Conception, Huntington, L.I., and then St. Joseph Seminary, Yonkers, N.Y. He earned his master of divinity degree from the Seminary of the Immaculate Conception.
He served a summer assignment at Holy Cross Church, Flatbush, and then spent his diaconate year at St. Michael Church, Sunset Park.
In his priesthood, he hopes to emulate the examples of Father Didier Marie, F.J., his novice master in the Community of St. John, and Father Kevin Sweeney, St. Michael’s pastor. Under their guidance, Father Pierre-Louis says he has learned more about himself and how to serve the people of God.
He is fluent in French, Creole and Spanish, and he loves to sing. He has devotions to St. Louis de Montfort, the Blessed Mother and Our Lady of Mount Carmel, whom he believes have guided him on his long journey to Brooklyn and Queens.
Father Pierre-Louis will offer his First Mass of thanksgiving at St. Michael Church, Sunday, June 29 at 12 p.m.
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