Ben Motta - FOCUS

Benjamin Motta

Where I serve

Praise be to Jesus Christ! I have been called to serve the students of the Massachusetts Institute of Technology.

Please pray for the MIT FOCUS team, particularly after receiving our Lord in the Holy Eucharist!

My Story

Come to me, all who labor and are heavy laden, and I will give you rest. Take my yoke upon you, and learn from me; for I am gentle and lowly in heart, and you will find rest for your souls. For my yoke is easy, and my burden is light.”
– Matthew 11:28-30 RSVCE

“In the tender compassion of our God / The dawn from on high shall break upon us / to shine on those who dwell in darkness and the shadow of death / and to guide our feet into the way of peace.”
– Luke 1:78-79, Grail translation

I was raised in the Catholic faith, but did not begin to deeply encounter its truth, beauty, and goodness until the beginning of high school. A trip to Rome in the spring of my freshman year and a burgeoning involvement in my parish’s youth group at my mother’s behest unknowingly became the start of what would be the greatest continuing gift of my life. Encouraged, supported, and formed by this ministry, I started to discover that fundamental truth written upon the heart of every man and woman: that “our hearts are restless till they find rest in Thee“.

God’s generosity towards me only increased as I entered college at the University of Virginia. Catholic Hoos, holy friendships, and, above all, the motherhood of the Blessed Virgin, added fuel to the fire that the Lord had lit in my soul.

The Lord has now called me to serve Him by bearing the light of His Love to the students at MIT in Boston.
There is no more important or more urgent work than this: cooperation with the work of Jesus Christ, who longs to bestow life, peace, and joy upon every human heart, in time and in eternity!

Your Impact

This mission I have embarked upon is not one I can complete alone. The Lord has invited me to place my trust fully in Him by relying upon your kind generosity, both spiritual and financial. Your charity does not end with me – it reaches deep into the hearts of the young men at MIT, and through them into eternity. If you desire to share in the fruits of this work, please reach out to me at benjamin dot motta at focus dot org. I would be deeply honored to share this mission with you!

Give Now

If you have any questions or need help setting up your gift, please contact us at [email protected].

Find other missionaries

FOCUS brings the joy of the Gospel to colleges and parishes across the United States (and beyond)!

GET STARTED

FOCUS Find A Missionary Know Love Serve God Monstrance

Know, Love and Serve God

We encounter God in an intimate relationship through daily prayer, the sacraments and the Scriptures.

Build Virtuous Friendships

By building genuine friendships, we meet students on a deeper level.

FOCUS Find A Missionary Teach Others Share Christ Smiling

Teach Others to Share Christ

We teach students how to share the gospel, who in turn teach other students how to pass it on.

Host	Retreat Type	Start Date	End Date
Tulane University	Way of the Disciple	09/05/24	09/07/24
University of Nebraska Lincoln	The Sanctifier	09/13/24	09/15/24
Parish Outreach	The Father’s House	09/16/24	09/18/24
Kansas State University	The Father’s House	09/20/24	09/22/24
University of Delaware	Rec	09/20/24	09/22/24
University of South Carolina – Columbia	Rec	09/27/24	09/29/24
St. Francis University	The Father’s House	10/04/24	10/06/24
Nicholls State University	The Father’s House	10/04/24	10/06/24
Northwestern State University	The Father’s House	10/11/24	10/13/24
University of Memphis	The Father’s House	10/11/24	10/13/24
Southern Illinois University – Edwardsville	The Father’s House	10/18/24	10/20/24
Ohio State University	The Father’s House	10/18/24	10/20/24
University of Dallas	The Sanctifier	10/24/24	10/26/24
Central Connecticut State University	The Father’s House	10/25/24	10/27/24
Universidad de Monterrey	The Father’s House	10/25/24	10/27/24
California State University – Fullerton	The Father’s House	10/25/24	10/27/24
Sts. Anne and Joaquim, Fargo, ND	Way of the Disciple	11/01/24	11/03/24
University of Krems	Men’s	11/01/24	11/03/24
University of Mary	The Father’s House	11/08/24	11/10/24
DePauw University	Rec	11/08/24	11/10/24
Philanthropy Engagement	Way of the Disciple	11/15/24	11/17/24
University of Passau	Rec	11/21/24	11/23/24
Texas A&M University	The Sanctifier	02/07/25	02/09/25
FOCUS Greek Southeast	The Father’s House	02/14/25	02/16/25
FOCUS Greek Midwest	The Father’s House	02/14/25	02/16/25
Worcester Polytechnic Institute	The Sanctifier	02/14/25	02/16/25
FOCUS Greek Southwest	The Father’s House	02/21/25	02/23/25
Wayne State University	The Father’s House	02/21/25	02/23/25
University of Illinois-Chicago	The Sanctifier	02/21/25	02/23/25
Queens College of the City University of New York	The Father’s House	03/07/25	03/09/25
Nicholls State University	Way of the Disciple	03/07/25	03/09/25
Grand Valley State University	The Father’s House	03/28/25	03/30/25
University of Northern Iowa	Way of the Disciple	04/03/25	04/05/25
University of Nebraska Lincoln	The Father’s House	04/04/25	04/06/25
Arizona State University	Men’s	02/07/25	02/09/25
University of Nebraska at Kearney	Rec	09/27/24	09/29/24