Father Rodolphe Balthazar will celebrate his 25th anniversary as a priest in June with his community at St. Vincent de Paul Church in Rogers.
The Diocese of Little Rock will commemorate Father Balthazar’s silver jubilee, along with other jubilarians, at a special Mass June 25. Father Balthazar’s priestly ordination was June 29, 2000, and for those who know him, this is a time to acknowledge a vocation rooted in faith and shaped by resilience.
“I first had the desire to be a priest during my First Communion,” Father Balthazar said. “After I received the sacrament of First Communion, I told my mom that I didn’t want to sin anymore, and my mom told me if I wanted other kids to feel that way, maybe I should be a priest.”
Born and raised in Haiti, Father Balthazar’s calling grew through a childhood steeped in faith — daily Mass attendance, nightly rosaries and regular spiritual quizzes from his mother, who asked her children to answer 10 questions about the gospel after every Sunday Mass.
“Whatever happens,” she would tell him, “if you have your guardian angel and the Blessed Mother on your side, it will work out.”
Father Balthazar served as a priest in Haiti for 19 years, but he offered his services to the Diocese of Little Rock in 2019. It wasn’t his first connection to Arkansas — pastor Msgr. David LeSieur had met him during a 2010 mission trip to Haiti following the devastating earthquake. Later, when Bishop Anthony B. Taylor sent word that Father Balthazar was available to serve in the diocese, Msgr. LeSieur was happy to welcome him to Rogers.
“Father Balthazar has been in our parish since October of 2019, and he’s been invaluable to all of us,” Msgr. LeSieur said. “He’s multilingual, speaking English, French, Spanish and the dialect of Haiti.”
In addition, Father Balthazar decided to pursue a master’s degree in counseling from Missouri Southern State University, graduating in 2024.
“His compassion in ministry, coupled with the knowledge of his degree, allows him to bring a great pastoral sensitivity to everything he does,” Msgr. LeSieur added.
On April 30, 2024, Father Balthazar was incardinated into the Diocese of Little Rock.
“He’s a priest of this diocese now — this is his home,” Msgr. LeSieur said.
That home includes his brother, Hamlet, who currently lives in Rogers. He has a sister in Paris, France, and another brother and his mother who remain in Haiti. Father Balthazar worries about the worsening security situation in Haiti, which has made it too dangerous to visit.
Parishioners and staff at St. Vincent de Paul describe Father Balthazar as a calming, joyful presence with a heart for the hurting.
“He brings the hope and peace of Jesus Christ to the sick, the dying, the poor, the lonely, and those battling addiction or spiritual oppression,” said Deacon Ronnie Hoyt, a former parish manager who first met Father Balthazar through the parish’s mission work in Haiti. “He tirelessly offers his time, compassion and joyful spirit to anyone in need.”
Hoyt also credits Father Balthazar with being a unifying force in the diverse parish community.
“He has a gift for lifting others up with his words and actions — encouraging people to grow in faith and serve with love.”
Although Father Balthazar’s daily ministry includes presiding over weekend and daily Masses and other sacraments, he also offers pastoral counseling. Despite a demanding schedule, he remains grounded in prayer and focused on others.
A simple celebration for Father Baltazar will take place in early summer and will be a moment to express gratitude for the priest.
“I just try to say ‘yes’ every day,” Father Balthazar said.
