Fr. Joe Vieira making memory of 25 years of priesthood

Now like then, I know that my option for the ordained priesthood was not my doing or ...my will. It was the Lord who called me and empowered me through the laying of hands to share in his only and unique ministerial priesthood.
Twenty-five years on, I recognize that the Lord has been my strength. If I remained an active priest it was because the Lord has been with me all this quarter of century.

I lived my priesthood in three continents – and mainly in four countries – in different pastoral situations: as a missionary in Ethiopia, a missionary journalist in South Sudan, a journalist in Portugal and in ongoing formation in Mexico.
Jesus has judged me trustworthy through the trust he has put in me.

Looking back, I see I have been through many different situations: happy and challenging. Through times of bliss and through times of drought. But I walked it all because the Lord was my strength and he was with me – my faithful brother and friend.

My silver jubilee celebration of priesthood is just a big 25-year long thanks. Nothing else matters, nothing else is necessary.
A big thanks for Jesus’ faithfulness, for sending me his many angels to comfort, challenge, walk with me, love me, cherish me, hail and heal me: my parents, my two sisters, my brothers-in-law, nieces and nephew, my Comboni sisters and brothers, a legion of friends across Europe, Africa, Asia and Americas, my benefactors.
Over every one of them I invoke God’s love and peace.
Amen!
Fr. José da Silva Vieira

Fr. José da Silva Vieira, missionary journalist in South Sudan.