“To be a priest is to give myself completely to Jesus in service of his people.”

In Mexico, I live in a community composed of ten religious, including eight priests. Among them, I simply feel like one among others. We take turns preaching during community Masses, and I am very happy to be able to exercise this ministry of preaching towards my older brothers. The first aspect of the priesthood that I am beginning to discover is the joy of being part of the presbyterium.
At Oxford School Mexico, the school where I work, I have the opportunity to give a short homily to students almost every day. Preaching is a challenge that I really enjoy, but I am well aware that my poor words are little compared to the Eucharist. When I distribute Holy Communion, I sometimes say to the Lord: “It doesn’t matter my homily, now it’s up to You to sanctify the souls who receive You.” The priest is not the master, but the dispenser of the power of the sacraments. That is the second aspect of the priesthood I am beginning to grasp. The priest does not belong to himself. To be a priest is to give myself completely to Jesus in service of his people.

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Father Benoît Terrenoir was born in Lyon on October 25, 1989. Surrounded by four brothers and two sisters, he grew up in Notre-Dame de Bellecombe (73). At the age of 11, a summer camp in Hermancia on the shores of Lake Geneva introduced him to Regnum Christi and the Legionaries of Christ. He was then enrolled from third grade to high school at the Apostolic School of Méry-sur-Marne. Novice from 2007 to 2009 in Bad Münstereifel (Germany), Brother Benoît then went to Salamanca (Spain) for his classical studies from 2009 to 2011. His further studies took him to Rome from 2011 to 2013, where he completed a first cycle of philosophy (canonical bachelor’s degree). For three years (2013 to 2016), he carried out his apostolic internship in Méry-sur-Marne. Returning to Rome from 2016 to 2018, he completed a second cycle of philosophy (canonical license). Then, still in Rome, he concluded his studies with three years of theology (canonical bachelor’s degree). Currently, Fr. Benoît is a formator at Oxford School and works in evangelization of adolescents and young people in Mexico.
Here are three verses from the Holy Scriptures that guided him during his journey to the priesthood: “I always do what pleases Him.” (Jn 8:29); “Fixing our eyes on Jesus” (Heb 12:2); “Is it you, Lord, who washes my feet?” (Jn 13:6)