It is so good to be back home in Orlando after my little vacation to the Eternal City. I wish I could have stayed a bit longer to finish out my list of things to see, however, I am grateful for the opportunity to experience the vast history of Rome and the Catholic church. All of the seminarians that went seemed to have a fantastic time. I especially enjoyed standing four feet away from Pope Benedict XVI. There will be a picture coming soon on that one! Now, getting to business…

Tomorrow morning, Bishop Thomas Wenki, D.D. will ordain Deacon Vilaire Philius to the Sacred Order of the Priesthood of Jesus Christ. Here is a brief press statement the Diocese of Orlando put out, introducing its newest priest.

The Lord’s call first came to Vilaire Philius as a youngster in Haiti preparing for his First Holy Communion. His aunt, who is deeply religious, helped him understand that God may be calling him to serve as a priest.

He grew up in the northwest agricultural area of Haiti in the city of St. Louis du Nord. He attended parochial school and had a close, loving family. In 1994, he joined the Salesian Order in Haiti. He later felt a calling to become a priest for the Diocese of Orlando where he felt there was a need for a Haitian priest to serve the people of the Diocese.

“I truly believe that my vocation is a gift. My time at the seminary has helped me understand and nourish this gift so that I can use it to serve others throughout my life. This is what I have been waiting for,” said Vilaire.

Tonight, the Seminarians from the Diocese of Orlando, plus priests and lay faithful gathered at St. James Cathedral for Vespers with Deacon Vilaire, Father Miguel Gonzalez (Vocations Director), Father Mark Wajda (Ordained to the priesthood last year), and Bishop Wenksi. Father Mark gave the homily, in which he told soon-to-be Father Philius to fall in love with his parish, his parishioners, and his priesthood everyday.

May the Holy Spirit guide and strengthen Deacon Vilaire throughout his priesthood!