Unwrapping God's Gift

By Fr. Bob Vaillancourt

Vocation Director ~

Diocese of Portland, Maine

My journey with Leonardo and Joseph throughout our vast Diocese was a pure gift for me. I witnessed two men profoundly in love with the Lord and His Church. Their energy and giftedness elated me! Thank you, men of God!

I had the privilege of being on the road with VIANNEY for five nights, witnessing over 1,500 Catholics from the State of Maine in awe of St. John Vianney and his message to the Church. It is clear that this saint has a profound word for the Church today especially through the saint’s deep love for the sacraments of the Eucharist and Reconciliation. Many priests were in tears realizing the depth of the gift of Priesthood and how the Lord longs to renew His Church THROUGH His Priests.

I am in awe of how the Holy Spirit used VIANNEY to stir the hearts of those present, giving them a renewed respect for priests and a deeper love for the Lord. The play projected how God fiercely and abundantly loves His people and how priests have the power to make that known by his way and example of life, his teaching of the Truth and his love and teaching of the "Real Presence." May we continue to unwrap the gift that God is giving us through Jean-Marie Vianney and the Lord’s priests! I pray that all my brother priests will be lured into the mystery of this saint!