Roundabout journey leads to the priesthood

Looking back on years as a young man searching for meaning beyond his local pews, and now as a newly ordained transitional deacon at St. Michael’s Cathedral Basilica, Michael Berlin-Riga’s journey has long been marked by quiet moments of grace and a growing call not to be served, but to serve. 

His unique path most recently saw him celebrate his ordination to the transitional diaconate. The Woodbridge, Ont., native reflected on his relationship with the faith, one that did not follow the typical straight and conventional path. 

“I come from an Italian background, and I remember just feeling like Church was just Italian grandmothers praying the Rosary in church, and just not many people like myself. I thought, 'what's the point of me even coming to church?’ ” he said candidly. 

Advertisement

At 14 years old, Berlin-Riga chose to instead seek answers outside of the faith, namely through new age movements, horoscopes, astrology, Eastern Buddhist meditation and even self-help books. After soon realizing that none of them answered the deepest questions that he had about life and meaning, and after being away from his faith for three years, it was a family-driven experience that would eventually lead him back. 

“ A lady who used to come to my mother's wellness centre invited her on a weekend retreat with Catholic Charismatic Renewal through Our Lady of Guadalupe Parish in Toronto. I was just tagging along on a similar youth retreat in 2014, and that was the first time I saw young people like myself who were looking for answers to the same questions I had,” he explained.

“It was in Eucharistic Adoration one of those evenings that I remember kneeling before Jesus in the Blessed Sacrament where I couldn’t help but cry. I realized in that moment how much God loves me despite everything that kind of led up to the moment. It was a real pivotal moment for me, not only in my vocational discernment, but even more so in my walk toward the Christian faith.” 

Upon returning to confession, he slowly became more and more involved in his parish youth group through Catholic Charismatic Renewal, as well as altar serving. However, it wasn’t until after high school graduation, a time when he was considering becoming a teacher and personal trainer, that the thought of priesthood became recurring. 

While serving a Mass in November 2015, a visiting Capuchin Franciscan priest asked him, “What are you doing with your life?” Meant as a casual greeting, the question would end up hitting Berlin-Riga existentially.

Praying over the question in his room later that day, the same thought of priesthood returned and brought along a sense of immense joy and peace.

Advertisement

“That was it. By 2017 I had entered St. Augustine’s Seminary, where I was challenged in different ways — humanly, spiritually, intellectually and pastorally. The guys and I grew through moments of joy, challenging times, prayers and studies, and for the seminary to invest in us men and help us become who we are called to be was and remains a very fruitful time,” he said. 

It was there that he completed his undergraduate studies through two years at George Brown College before transferring to the University of Toronto’s St. Michael’s College, where he majored in Christianity and Culture while minoring in philosophy and classics. 

His subsequent Internship at Mississauga’s Merciful Redeemer Parish has since allowed him to learn to minister one-on-one and grow as a “spiritual father” by walking with parishioners and meeting them where they are.

On Sept. 26, on the back of nine years of formation following his call, Berlin-Riga underwent the laying on of hands by Bishop Robert Kasun and the Prayer of Ordination, and is now entrusted with his newest ministry of service as he continues to prepare for priestly ordination.

“To be at that Mass, seeing the multitude of people whom I have seen throughout my internship, at my home parish and the various other parishes I’ve visited, was beautiful. It filled me with such tremendous joy to know that these are the people whom I will continue to serve in this new role,” he said. 

Berlin-Riga and his fellow ordinand, Deacon Francesco Rampino, are expected to be ordained to the priesthood in May.

Serving Sundays at St. Michael's Cathedral Basilica and looking ahead to what would mark a full decade of formation towards the end, or in another sense, the true beginning of his call to service, he was quick to share his advice for those discerning their own vocation, ordained or otherwise. 

Advertisement

“ Have a prayer life, a recourse to the sacraments, engage Scripture daily and be immersed in the relationship with the Lord, where He can speak to your heart. Of course, a good spiritual director who is able to recognize the areas for you to exercise your gifts helps too,” he recommends. 

“This is God's work ultimately, and we need the help of God and the other people around us to support us along this journey. That, in and of itself,  is something to be thankful for.” 

A version of this article appeared in the October 18, 2026 issue of The Catholic Register with the headline "Roundabout journey leads to the priesthood".