Seminarian Biography: Derek Rieckens

Derek James Rieckens was born on November 20, 1981 in Dubuque, Iowa to James and Linda Rieckens.  He was baptized at the Church of the Nativity in Dubuque, but calls Immaculate Conception in Eau Claire is home parish.

Derek attended Robbins Elementary School (Eau Claire) followed by South Middle School and Memorial High School (both in Eau Claire).  After graduation from high school, Derek attended North Dakota State University graduating in 2004 with a Bachelor of Arts degree in Music.  After graduation from college, Derek immediately entered the seminary program.

Derek entered the pre-theology program at the Pontifical College Josephinum in Columbus, Ohio and completed the program in 2006 with a Bachelor of Philosophy degree (B. Phil.)  After pre-theology studies, Derek continued on to the theologate at the Josphinum where he is currently a third year theologian.  Upon graduation, he will obtain a Master of Divinity degree.

During the summer, Derek has spent time at St. Matthew's parish in Wausau as well as La Santa Cruz in Santa Cruz, Bolivia.

Derek's ecclesiastical interests include Church history and liturgy with a focus on sacred music.  His secular interests include running, soccer, movies, and collecting music recordings.  Derek's favorite book genres are biographies, histories, and physics-related books with his favorite authors being Ray Bradbury, James Thurbur, and C.S. Lewis.  Derek's favorite music includes country, swing, and the composers Palestrina, Bach, Beethoven, Sibelius, Duke Ellington, and the Beatles.  Derek's favorite foods include popcorn, buffalo wings, and pasta.  Derek's hobbies include the trombone, baritone, and the tuba.

When asked about his favorite saints, Derek states Mary, Joseph, St. John Vianney, and St. Thérèse of Lisieux.  When asked why he entered the seminary, Derek states: "I wanted more than what the world was giving me, and when I began to ask the Lord what he wanted of me, he showed me the beauty of radical self-gift for His people."  Derek believes that people should pray for vocations because "if we really believe that the world needs saving, then we need men who can dispense the gifts of our Savior."  Finally, Derek believes that young men should consider the priesthood because "holiness is the true counter-culture, and to be the very hands of Christ is the privilege of a lifetime."