With an undying urge or as he described it a “calling” to join the Priesthood, Father Vanty Auguiste decided to leave behind his dream of becoming a dentist, ignored the jeers of his friends and headed into the seminary.
Now 25 years later, on July 16, the Kalinago territory and the Parish of our Lady of Health join this Redemptorist priest in a special service to celebrate his 25th anniversary as a priest.
Speaking to Dominica News Online on Wednesday afternoon, Father Auguiste said he was excited about achieving 25 years in the priest hood.
“25 years in the priestly ministry is really a milestone and not only feeling great about it but I feel the entire community of the Kalinago territory and by extension the whole area from Petite Soufriere up to Atkinson are very much involved in that celebration.”
He noted that his biggest achievement during his 25 years of service is being a “people’s priest,” describing himself as someone who is close to people and understands their situations.
“I am someone who tries to understand their sorrows and pains and that is because I come from a humble home and the experiences has really helped me to understand people’s plights and their suffering and I think that has brought me close to people.”
As one of his major challenges Father Vanty listed the changing world and its hostility toward the word of Christ.
“The word of Christ is being preached but it is being met with a lot of hostility today and having to face that on a daily basis, the hostility towards Christ for me is a challenge I believe that people don’t take easily to the word of God and having being a priest and having to go through that on a daily basis is really a mountain to climb.”
Father Vanty has worked in the Cathedral parish, the Goodwill parish, the Grandbay parish, the Vieux Fort parish in St Lucia as well as in Trinidad. He also served at the Holy Redeemer Retreat House in Eggleston, the Fatima parish, and is now based in the St Joseph parish. He said he’s been involved in the building and renovation of churches across the island and takes pleasure in working with the young people and the various fraternities of the church. He also finds great joy in helping the elderly.
Mindful of the need to bolster the decreasing number of priests, Fr. Vanty encouraged other young men to join the priest hood pointing out that there was great satisfaction in serving the Lord.
“There is a lot of work to be done but there is a lot of satisfaction. Although the going is rough and it is not an easy road there is much satisfaction in serving the Lord and in this world people look for satisfaction in different things. We sometimes look for satisfaction in material things but I believe there is much satisfaction in the Lord and that is the best way you can be satisfied.”
Father Vanty conducted his Philosophical studies at the University of Galway in Ireland then moved to Don dock. He completed his 4 years of Theological studies in the Dominican Republic. He said he enjoyed his years at the seminary although it was a bit challenging at times.
Congrats Fr.Auguiste May God give you the strength and courage to continue to lead his people in the right direction and may he shower his blessings upon you,Job well done and keep working for the kingdom,Blessings blessings’
Congratulations father Vanty and also wishing you many more years to come ahead. pray that the People of my Community St. Joseph will appreciate the work that you have been doing in the parish. Wish I was there to celebrate with you all. May the good Lord continue to bless you and wishing you longer life to help and keep the people of St. Joe together.
@Brain Damage, with a name like that I have previously stated your brain is damaged alright and is in damage mode. Some of you make comments without discerning yourselves. Your comments are out of place. You interfere in what does not concern you and what you do not comprehend (and never will due to your type of mentality) and what no human being can ever change. If you do not comprehend something, you should never criticize it, deny it or denounce it. Only fools who obviously do not have any sense would make such a comment which is expected of them. If you are intelligent, you should utilize your common sense. Based on your comment, am I to assume that you have none?
You referred to the Priest suppressing population; shrinking it. I responded to you. You did not consider the following which has suppressed the population or ignored it that contraceptives which many have used throughout the years have shrunk the population. Today, those who are married of all have few children as previously. Would a sensible person not know the primary reason why the population is suppressed and not blame it on the priests who have chosen a spiritual life? It has absolutely nothing to do with the priests not marrying. Furthermore, there are women who are nuns and who also live similar lives. They also are not married and do not have children.
Consider how many men died while fighting wars. The world has seen two world wars. There are also different wars, be they religious and secular. Consider how many people Hitler sent to the gas chamber – millions. Consider the suppression/shrinkage of future generations which will affect the world until the end of time.
Get off the back of the Catholic Church and priests and utilize your common sense if you have any. Place the blame where it belongs – in the secular world of which you are one. Ask the married ones why they are causing population shrinkage by having few children. How many children do you have? How many you are capable of having and you suppressed them by contraceptives which cause this shrinkage? You are very well guilty of suppressing the population. Those who live in glass houses should not throw stones. Therefore, look to yourself. When you make such comments, think of yourself and your lifestyle.
My advice to you is, little do you know. Learn from this and in the future, “Be sure brain is engaged before putting mouth in gear.” This also pertains to your fingers to the keyboard and the Sent button. Cease your idle words. Just as people should think twice before they talk, you should first think twice prior to making such comments. There are some who do not look at themselves but always look at others. In so doing, you will be left behind.
There are reasons for everything. Most of all, God has his reasons. He who established His Catholic Church, approves of all It teaches and has instituted. They are based on the inspiration of the Holy Spirit in prayer.
You know absolutely nothing about the Catholic Church and its teachings. Live and let live. Your criticisms and negativity cannot change a thing. Therefore, do not waste your time.
The following also pertains to the Priesthood and those (women) who chose to remain single that they may serve the Lord to godly perfection without any earthly inhibition. As Our Lord Jesus Christ also said, “Hear and understand”:
Matthew 19:11-12 – Marriage and Divorce – “. . . Not all can accept (this) word, but only those to whom that it is granted. Some are incapable of marriage because they were born so, some, because they were made so by others, ‘some, because they have renounced marriage for the sake of the Kingdom of Heaven.’ Whoever can accept this ought to accept it.”
Those who honored their vows, remained faithful and persevered to the end will receive God’s eternal heavenly reward. The same applies to those who got married in a consecrated Church to God and who lived a life of fidelity to their spouse. They too made a vow to God to remain faithful to their spouse.
If you do not know what is contained in Holy Scriptures, I urge you to read/study it. Prior to doing so you should pray to the Holy Spirit for enlightenment which you are badly in need of coupled with God’s blessing and graces.
Father Vanity Auguiste on belalf of the st.Patrick’s parish especially Petite Savanne family I want to wish you all the very best and I say god bless you and may you continue to be who you are. A very loving priest a great friend and a class of faith to all of us who you served.. god be with you.. may the lord make his face to shine upon you and be gracious to you. Congratulations to you as well as Father Elveau Augustine with whom I had the blessjngs of celebrating mass with him and his family on Thursday past celebrating 26 years…..his holy reading …… my soul is yearning for you in the night oh lord… be blessed the two of you
But fada, you must expect the priest hood to be shrinking eh, because you all don’t multiply at all.
I would like to tell you who are those causing the shrinking of the world. They are the numerous men and men and women and women relationships which you probably uphold. This includes an addition of the numerous babies that are aborted – millions of them; one set of them is right in the USA. No need to state more.
And yet, the world is over populated. That’s why China is using their head.
Father Vanty:
Congratulations and A Blessed Silver Jubilee and celebration to you.
May God bless you and grant you many more healthy years to serve him and his people.
congratulation padre. very proud of you
Wesley praish not fogetting you you were with us in the early years congates Father we still love you.
Congratulations Father Vanty!!!!
You are a man of God. Be fearless as you continue to work for the Kingdom.
God’s Blessings!!!
Congratulations Father Vanty!!!!!!!!
You are a man of God. Continue your work for the Kingdom. Be faerless in your work for the kingdom.
God’s Blessings!!!!
Congrats Father Vanty.
Twenty five years is a good milestone. We look forward to see you celebrate 25 plus 25 more years. Congrats also to Father Elveo who will celebrate 26 years this week. May God give you all the confidence and grace to face the challenges and succeed at bringing God’s people to him.
congratulations Father Vanty, this is really a milestone may God bless u always .
ST. Theresa parish as well…Congrats FR. Vanty. God Bless you!
He was once my Parish Pirest…while he was still new to the Priesthood. He was and is still well loved in the Parish. Happy 25th Anniversary!!!!
Congratulations to you Fr. Vanty Auguiste. You have been a mentor to several of your parishoners including me. Continue serving the Lord and the people of the world.
Congratulations to you Father Vanty, and keep being there for the people and for the love of Go. The Great Lord will continue to guide and keep you under his precious blood and protection. We Love you.
The celebration was really great. Cut you cake and enjoy it.
Congratulations Fr. Vanty. God bless you and may you continue in his service working to inspire poor souls like me. It was indeed a pleasure serving with you when you served in our parish.
Way to go Fr Vanty Congratulations from all of us.
Congratulations Fr Vanty. God’s Blessings upon you. Am very Proud of You. Keep up the good work. I pray that others follow your foot steps. Lots of Love.
CONGRATULATIONS, Father Vanty.
Congratulation Father Vanty Auguiste on your 25th anniversary in serving the Lord may the good lord bless and keep you always. and thanks for being a good Sheppard,
Congratulations Father Vanty on this achievement. May the good Lord richly bless you. Keep up the good works. I am proud of you. Take care and all the best.
Congratulations Fr. Vanty! You have always been a class act
Contgrats , Fr. Vanty on you silver jubilee. May God continue to guide you as you serve the Church.
Congrats Father you merry me in 1991 thanks much love you may god keep you in his hands blessings.
Congratulations!!!! Father on 25years of priest hood. God`s speed to you and your family, as you continue to serve the lord and bring his word to the people. I trust that God will continue to bless and protect you in this hostile world and the lack of respect towards the words of God. Hang in” there! Who Jah bless, let no man curse, Continue to pray for our land and preach the word. Amen!
Dear Father Vanty,
Our Family congratulates you on your 25th Anniversary of your ordination to the Priesthood.
We share your joy, and that of your family and the Kalinago People.
May God continue to keep you in His grace, and to richly bless you.
Brother Norris & Joan Prevost and Family.
Congratulations to father Vanty, well done keep the faith.God bless you with wisdom, knowledge and understanding to continue his ministry.
congratulation bro. Vanty from your friend Jones in the V I