Florida Catholic | Young Man Desires To Give Himself ‘Totally To God’

GETTING TO KNOW A SEMINARIAN

Young man desires to give himself ‘totally to God’

Seminarian Vilaire Philius from the Diocese of Orlando talks with broadcast journalist Marie Delius about his background the pursuit of his vocation.

Published: 04.11.08

Born: Saint Louis Du Nord, Haiti, Oct. 17, 1971.

Family: Parents are Maria and Marcelon Avicen. He is the fifth of six children. He has four sisters and one brother.

Schools: Graduated from Lamenais Elementary School, in Saint Louis Du Nord, Notre Dame D’Haiti Middle school in Port-Au- Prince and Catherine Flon and Elie Blaise High School in Port-Au-Prince.

When did you enter the seminary and what is your class?

VILAIRE PHILIUS: I entered the seminary in 1994 at the Salesian House in Port-au-Prince, Haiti, for my pre-novitiate. I came to the United States of America in 1997. I was in New Jersey with the Salesians. In 2004, I left the Salesians to start my theology at St. Vincent de Paul Regional Seminary with the Diocese of Orlando.

Was it easy to change from missionary to diocesan?

VILAIRE PHILIUS: No, because Salesian was what I know, but when I entered St. Vincent de Paul, I felt at home right away.

What did you do before entering the seminary?

VILAIRE PHILIUS: I did not have time to do much before entering the seminary. After high school I started the seminary.

When did you know that you wanted to be a priest?

VILAIRE PHILIUS: When I was 11 years old, on the last day of a retreat before my first Communion. It was a Saturday in 1983. I felt something was different, but could not explain. I knew that I would be a priest.

Was there any vocation moment, so to speak, for you?

VILAIRE PHILIUS: Yes, there were some. After the experience of my first Communion, I wanted to be in the military to make a difference. Right before entering the military academy, I went to (another) retreat for Lent. There the message was so deep and I was not 11 years old anymore. So I knew for sure that was my call. Since that day, I never think about the military anymore. Again, the first day I entered the seminary, I felt that the message was ratified.

What is your favorite assignment?

VILAIRE PHILIUS: My favorite assignment is to work with youths, to teach them to help them with their faith.

What is your greatest joy?

VILAIRE PHILIUS: My greatest joy is to live my faith happily around the people of God and to serve them.

What is your description of an ideal priest?

VILAIRE PHILIUS: An ideal priest is to follow Jesus — to be obedient, honest and to live with integrity.

Who was most surprised by your vocation?

VILAIRE PHILIUS: Not too many people were surprised because of the way I was living my life. Only one of my friends and my aunt were surprised.

What is the seminary preparing you for?

VILAIRE PHILIUS: The seminary is preparing me to offer the sacrifice of Mass, to be educated in order to able to direct the people of God, to build strong Christian community with honest citizens.

What words of counsel would you offer to someone discerning a call to the priesthood?

VILAIRE PHILIUS: I would say to be open to the spirit of God, to pray every day, to pray the rosary, to have an open mind and to get a spiritual counselor.

What is a transitional deacon?

VILAIRE PHILIUS: A transitional deacon is the step before becoming a priest. It’s a way of preparing oneself in serving the people of God, the bishop (Bishop Thomas Wenski), a pastor and to be available at any moment at anytime.

When will you be ordained as a transitional deacon?

VILAIRE PHILIUS: I will be ordained on April 19.

What will you do as a transitional deacon and where will you serve?

VILAIRE PHILIUS: I will be assisting with baptisms, weddings and funerals. In August, I will be at St. Jude Catholic Church in Boca Raton until I get ordained as a priest. One year after being a deacon, I will be ordained as a priest.

What was your experience during your year serving at St. Joseph Parish in Winter Haven?

VILAIRE PHILIUS: It was a wonderful experience. Not only did I learn a lot, but I also have a better understanding of my calling in serving others. I was in Winter Haven from August 2006 through May 2007, and I went back there to help on Easter Vigil.

Is there anything else you would like to share about your experiences?

VILAIRE PHILIUS: My experience in the seminary, and especially at Winter Haven, prepared me for a holy life, made me humble and pushed me to say “yes” totally to God and to his people. Those experiences enhanced my ability to serve my bishop and understand my calling. The rectory living with the pastor and the faith of the people of God made me question myself every day to see how deep my relationship with Christ was. I desire to give myself totally to God.

Delius hosts La Voix Catholique A Orlando (The Catholic Voice in Orlando) for Internet Radio Universel 90.7 SCA in Orlando (http://radiouniversel.com/)

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GETTING TO KNOW A SEMINARIAN

Young man desires to give himself ‘totally to God’

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