St Francisco de Paula Victor: Unlikely Origins

Today we celebrate a very determined man named Francisco de Paula Victor. He was born of a slave mother and unknown father in Brazil in the 19th century. He deeply desired to be a priest, but it was against the law for a slave to enter seminary. The bishop, however, was an ardent abolitionist, and he pushed hard to get Francisco into the seminary. 

I would love to say that everything was smooth sailing from there. But his teachers and fellow seminarians treated him terribly out of racist and prejudiced motives. Very sad that future priests were treating this man so badly. But he was humble and loving, and won them over. Then he was confirmed as a priest, and when he went to his church, the parishioners treated him badly due to his color and his origins. Once again, he was loving, humble, determined, and kind. He won over the hearts of his parishioners. You can read more about him here.

This is exactly what Jesus does. He chooses the lowest, least likely people to be His leaders and champions. The world looks at our talent and our money and power... but God looks at our heart. As followers of Jesus, let's do better than his teachers, fellow seminarians, and parishioners. Let's love people regardless of where they come from. Let's also be like Francisco, and determinedly do God's will, even when the world hates us.

God, thanks for the example and reminder we're given in this man's life. St Francisco de Paula Victor, pray for us.