About the Salesians / Brother Dieunel Victor

I am Br. Jean Dieunel Victor, and I am an Haitian American. I am a post-novice with the Salesians of Don Bosco. God created each one of us for a purpose, and he called each one of us to serve him a special way. We may answer that call or not because of our free will. God made me in his image and likeness and he has called me to serve him in a special way. He has called me to him and to serve the poor youth in the spirit of Saint John Bosco. I believe that my call is to be a Salesian priest for God and the poorest of the poor. As a Salesian, my first goal is to be holy because God wants me to be holy.

Brother Dieunel Victor

Payes De Reves (Country of Dreams)

It is all began in 1996 after I made my first communion. The night after I made my first communion, I had a dream of being in a seminary studying for the priesthood. At that time I did not know anything about being a priest so I went to my mother told her my dream. She explained to me what a priesthood is and what a priest does. After that the idea was in my mind for a long time.  I thought I was too young to make that decision and hence I talked to my mother about it. She told me to be open to God and be ready do his will. When she told me this, I said to God, Here I am, Lord take me and help me to do your will. I also said to the Lord the words of Saint Peter to Jesus, Lord, to whom shall we go? You have the word of eternal life (John 6:68). The Lord is the potter and I am the clay and I ask him to shape me for his kingdom and to those to whom he will send me.

Brother Dieunel Victor can often be found in the Salesian House Chapel.

Left: Every morning Brother Dieunel neatly makes his bed with a crucifix on his pillow.

Eventually, a young brother gave me a book on Saint John Bosco and invited me to visit the Salesian community and a few months later, I entered the formation program.

The Salesians of Don Bosco appeal to me simply because of the way they care for the young and the poor. When I see young people in bad situations, I feel a desire to bring God’s love to them. Christ said, “You are the salt of the earth and the light of the world” therefore I want be this salt of the earth and this light to the world, especially for poor youth. Christ has no hands but mine, no feet but mine, no eyes, body but mine. So I must be Christ for the less fortunate.  Lord I have come to do your will, lead and guide me in your way.

A wall of loved ones and patron saints adorn the walls of Brother Dieunel's bedroom.

Whenever possible, much of Brother Dieunel's time is spent in reflection and prayer.

Whenever he is not in the Salesian House Chapel, Brother Dieunel can always be found in the basement gym.