A gifted and captivating speaker, preacher, retreat master and author, Father Larry Richards holds the answer to some of life’s most profound questions. He speaks from experience as a pastor of an inner city parish, a high school chaplain, a counselor and evangelist. Fr. Larry Richards has directed hundreds of Retreats, Parish Missions and Conferences for young and old alike. His inspirational talks and presentations, always authentic and enthusiastic, have changed the hearts, minds, and lives of millions of listeners worldwide.
Father Larry Richards has been a priest since 1989 for the Diocese of Erie, Pennsylvania and he currently serves as pastor of St. Joseph Church/Bread of Life Community in Erie. In 2004 Father founded The Reason For Our Hope Foundation, a non-profit organization dedicated to ‘spreading the Good News’ by educating others about Jesus Christ and the Catholic faith through CDs, DVDs, and books. He is the author of “Be a Man! Becoming the Man God Created You to Be”, a #1 best seller for Ignatius Press. He has a second book called “Surrender! The Life-Changing Power of Doing God’s Will” published by Our Sunday Visitor. This book challenges men to embrace their faith with strength and humility. His second book, Surrender! The Life-Changing Power of Doing God’s Will, focuses on trusting God and has also been highly influential, selling over 40,000 copies.
Father released a Catholic Men’s Bible, NABRE, with Our Sunday Visitor in 2014, and also a Scripture Devotional Calendar entitled “No Bible, No Breakfast! No Bible, No Bed!” Father hosts the EWTN radio shows called “The Reason For Our Hope” and “Fathers Know Best”, and a live EWTN radio show called “Open Line”. Father Larry can be seen on the EWTN televised program with Dr. Ray Guarendi entitled “Living Right with Dr. Ray”. Father also hosts a radio show called “Changed Forever with Father Larry Richards” that can be heard nationwide on Relevant Radio.
In addition to his writing, Fr. Richards hosts multiple radio programs, including The Reason For Our Hope and Open Line on EWTN, as well as Changed Forever with Father Larry Richards on Relevant Radio. His media presence extends to television with programs like Living Right with Dr. Ray. Father Larry's contributions to the Catholic Church have been significant, particularly in the areas of men’s ministry and evangelization, making him a beloved figure in contemporary Catholicism.
Father Larry Richards is most known as a public speaker for his passionate and direct approach to addressing complex spiritual, moral, and practical issues, particularly focusing on themes of manhood, faith, and surrendering to God’s will. His most popular talks challenge men to embrace authentic Christian manhood, with his bestseller Be a Man! offering practical guidance on living with strength, humility, and faith. His presentations are characterized by their humor, honesty, and motivational tone, resonating with audiences across age groups.
Fr. Richards is also highly regarded for his retreats, parish missions, and conferences, where he combines theological insights with personal anecdotes to inspire both laypeople and clergy. His ability to address sensitive topics, such as morality, faith struggles, and relationships, with clarity and conviction has made him a sought-after speaker at Catholic events worldwide.
