A chaplain with a missionary heart

Jacksonville chaplain/bishop is impressed with members dedication to the faith . . .

Bishop Victor Galeone
Jacksonville Chapter

As the founding chaplain of the Jacksonville Chapter, Bishop Victor Galeone says he has the highest respect for Catholic executives. The ninth bishop of the St. Augustine diocese gave the green light to start the chapter shortly after his 2001 installation. Born in Philadelphia, Bishop Galeone was raised in Baltimore. He spent 11 years as a missionary priest in Peru before returning to the United States. The bishop will mark two special dates in 2010: his 75th birthday and his 50th anniversary of priestly ordination.

Tell me about your call to the priesthood.

I was born and bred in the seminary system, if you will. I went directly from the eighth grade right to the minor seminary, boarding school seminary, back in the fall of 1949. That was a custom in those days.

My vocation hit me early on in the fifth grade when I became an altar boy, and it was through the solid family life that we had. We’d pray the family rosary each night. Mom or Dad would lead in Italian, and we would respond in English.

Secondly, it was the good example of priests. We had some fine parish priests that were good role models. And there was this Franciscan Irish nun responsible for training the altar boys. The Lord used this very humble woman as an instrument to get me to be a priest.

You were a missionary in Peru in the 1970s and ’80s.

Yes. I remember reading the mission magazines, and I thought that I would really like to do that. So after 10 years of priesthood, I approached the archbishop in Baltimore and requested permission to devote five years of my life to the foreign missions in Latin America, and he reluctantly agreed. I found myself in Peru in the Andes Mountains.

The experience taught me a great deal of patience. So often we rush here, rush there, get things done quick and efficiently. But down there in Peru, they’re a very humble, simple people, beautiful people.

Did you have a hand in establishing the Legatus chapter in Jacksonville?

Only by giving the green light. Legatus approached me, so I asked for some literature, and said, “Let me pray and study this, and I’ll give you my answer in a few weeks.” Two weeks later I told them I’d agree to it. I didn’t intend to be the chaplain, but they asked me to start off [as chaplain] and see if it’s too much.

I was so impressed by these Catholics CEOs, either still active or retired. They were so generous with their time, with the Lord, and so deeply committed to the faith. So serving as chaplain was a learning experience for me on many levels. It’s been a beautiful experience for me to broaden my horizons and see how the Lord uses all levels of the faithful to minister to our Catholic laity.

What impact has Legatus had on your diocese?

This is purely anecdotal. I will not mention the names of two members of Legatus who joined, but became — that I know from my own limited experience — much more committed Catholics today than they were before they joined Legatus. It’s been a blessing that these two became more devoted and committed to the faith because of Legatus.

What are some of your hobbies?

Fishing and reading. It’s more by neglect than by commitment that they’re my hobbies now, only because of all that’s demanded of me as bishop. I go fishing periodically, and I certainly enjoy it. And I enjoy reading solid things such as history — especially Church history — or theology commentaries.