We joyfully announce that on Saturday, May 17, 2025, at 10:00 am, through the power of the Holy Spirit and the imposition of hands by Cardinal Blase Cupich, Dcn. Kevin Menard, SJC, will be ordained a Priest of Jesus Christ at Holy Name Cathedral.

Dcn. Kevin Menard, SJC, has been a member of the Canons Regular of St. John Cantius for nine years. He will be ordained a Priest of Jesus Christ on Saturday, May 17th at 11:00 am by Cardinal Blase Cupich at Holy Name Cathedral in Chicago. Although the ordination attendance is limited to family only, you can watch the livestream here.

Fr. Kevin will celebrate his first Solemn Mass of Thanksgiving on Sunday, May 18th at 10:30 am at St. John Cantius in Chicago. He will also celebrate a Solemn Mass of Thanksgiving on Sunday, May 25th at 10:00 am at St. Peter Church in Volo. All are welcome to attend.

Dcn. Kevin first became awestruck by the priesthood as a kindergartener, attending daily Mass with his mother before school. Seeing the priest celebrating Mass every day, he told his mother, “One day when I grow up, I want to be a priest.” Throughout his life, he felt a strong calling to the priesthood but struggled with making the decision, as he also had desires to pursue education, work, friendships, and even marriage. After college and years of professional experience, he realized that nothing fulfilled him more than serving the Church and Our Lord. In 2015, he actively began discerning religious life, knowing that he wanted to share this journey of faith and priesthood with other devoted men in a life of fraternity.

Reflecting on his discernment, he recalls, “God can use anyone, but especially the lowly and the weak, and all He needs is your ‘Yes.’ I spent so much time worrying about my vocation and trying to figure out what God was calling me to do. Finally, after consecrating myself to Jesus through Mary, I told our Heavenly Mother that I am going to model my vocation after hers, simply saying yes to whatever path God offers: fiat mihi secundum verbum tuum, ‘be it done unto me according to your word.’ Six months later, what had been years of stressful discernment became clear, easy, and peaceful with the help and guidance of our Mother Mary.”

In 2016, Dcn. Kevin joined the Canons Regular of St. John Cantius after spending several months discerning with the guidance of Fr. Frank Phillips and Fr. Joshua Caswell.

Offering advice to those experiencing distress, discernment, or trials, he encourages, “Give everything to Mary! Give her your struggles, your worries, your doubts, and all that confuses you, and she will make the way straight and easy. She is your Mother.”

About the Canons Regular:  

The Canons Regular of St. John Cantius is a religious community of men dedicated to the restoration of the sacred. The community was founded in 1998 under Francis Cardinal George, O.M.I. and now has 24 members from the United States, Canada, and Poland. Currently the Canons Regular serve in three parishes in two dioceses: St. John Cantius Parish in Chicago, St. Peter Parish in Volo, and St. Katharine Drexel Parish in Springfield, Illinois.

The Canons imitate Christ, live in radical opposition to the values of the world, and work to restore the sacred in the Church and in their own lives, seeking the sanctification of all.  

Learn More Here