Catholic Diocese sponsors one-man drama
By: Nancy Cook
Updated: November 9, 2010
The theatrical one-man drama, VIANNEY, will be presented by the Diocese of Shreveport at 7:00 p.m. Friday at the Catholic Center Holoubek Theater in Shreveport and at 6:30 p.m. Sunday, November 14, 2010 at St. Frederick High School in Monroe.
Sponsored by the Catholic Diocese of Shreveport’s Office of Vocations, this popular production began touring the U.S. as a part of the worldwide celebration of the Year for Priests declared by Pope Benedict XVI.
The drama is about John Vianney, commonly known as the “Curé of Ars,” who lived as a peasant in the era follo wing the French Revolution. Incompetent in his studies of Latin and theology, he was ordained because there was a shortage of priests at the time. In his determination to save every single soul put into his care, Vianney encountered tremendous resistance, and even violent supernatural attacks that he overcame, and succeeding in reforming the lives of thousands of people.
Shreveport native Leonardo Defilippis, who stars in the drama, said “I find the character of John Vianney extremely endearing. He was a truly eccentric character, wearking a ragged cassock, living on a diet of nothing but one potato a day, yet sparing no expense for the church or his children. His love and concern for the salvation of every single person he encountered came through in his every word.”
Defilippis is best known for his direction and starring role in the feature film THÉRÈSE, which generated phenomenal grassroots support and played in mainstream movie theaters for an unprecedented 70 weeks. Defilippis’ previous Shreveport performances include The Passion According to Luke in 2004, and Maximilian: Saint of Auschwitz in 2008.
VIANNEY is suitable for ages 9 and up. Admission will be a donation for vocations at the door. For the Friday, November 12 performance in Shreveport, the Knights of Columbus will make it convenient for parents and youth to attend the performance by offering a meal of hamburgers/drink starting at 5:30 p.m. The cost will be $5 per person for the meal. For more information contact Jeanne Brown 868-4441, ext. 257 or visit www.dioshpt.org or www.vianneydrama.com.
