VIANNEY Defends the Priesthood

Dear Friends in Christ,

VIANNEY, our latest drama currently on a nationwide tour, could not have hit the stage at a better time. In the face of the scandals involving priests, the public’s confidence has been shaken. These scandals have been misrepresented in the media to give the impression that this problem is exclusive to Catholic priests, and that it is infecting a majority of priests and our Church at large. You have likely seen the battering the media has delivered upon Pope Benedict XVI himself, especially this past Easter.

It’s time we stand up and defend our good and holy priests! We must highlight this spirit of sacrifice and adventure to which they have given their lives!

And VIANNEY does just that. In the ten months since our opening, I’ve performed for more than 80,000 people, in 145 performances in 22 states – that includes nearly 2,000 priests, over 1,500 seminarians, and 91 bishops and cardinals. It’s been exhausting, but at almost every performance, I have witnessed the entire audience rise in standing ovations honoring their priests. Confessions and Adoration often follow the performance, and I venture that many, many souls return to the sacraments.

Before one performance, my stage manager Joseph and I knelt before the Blessed Sacrament, asking for strength to give it our all one more time, so that, as Jean Vianney said, a “big fish” might be caught for God. As I greeted the audience at the door as they left the performance that night, I was approached by a man, in tears, who said to me, “I have been away from the Church for years, filled with anger and hatred for the Faith, but tonight my heart was softened, and I am reconciled with God.” He passed by me, and I moved on to the next person. Later that night, as I told Joseph his story, he reminded me of our prayer. That humbled, penitent man was the “big fish.” All the hard work and travel were suddenly put into perspective; to see a soul brought back to God is a profound experience.

And vocations have been flowing from this work! A few weeks ago I was in Colorado Springs, and Bishop Sheridan attended the performance, as did 14 priests. After the show, as I often do, I encouraged any interested young men to talk to the bishop. Several went up to him, and a 13 year-old boy made an appointment to see him. I see this happening all over the country- youth on fire for Christ, wanting to make a radical choice to serve the Church. VIANNEY is acting as a catalyst for this longing.

 

This October we’ll celebrate 30 years of bringing live dramas, films and videos on the scriptures and the lives of the saints to audiences all over the world. Thank you for being there – you’ve no idea how much your confidence means.

I am asking for your prayers and financial support, especially as the summer months are always a challenge to us. Please give what you can so that we can stay afloat and produce new projects. The bottom line is we simply cannot do this without your help. I beg you to especially and regularly pray for our beloved priests and certainly, all future priests of our beloved Church.

God bless you and your family,


Leonardo Defilippis
President
Saint Luke Productions

P.S. On June 11, 2010, Pope Benedict XVI suprised the world by declaring Saint John Vianney the Patron Saint of All Priests in the World. In celebration, we are planning a performance in Rome as a gift to the Holy Father from the Church in the United States. What an encouragement it will be to our Holy Father at a time when he needs our love and support so much! Please give whatever you can to make this dream happen!

Related Article: VIANNEY TOUR EXTENDED THROUGH 2011