Chalice Has Special Meaning for Father Roussel

 Perhaps well into the future, when the occasion calls for Father Danny Roussel to use his personal chalice while celebrating Mass, memories will reflect back to a special time shortly before his ordination.

Father Roussel’s stunning chalice is one that will likely forever hold a dear place in his heart, to a time when a clergy member who had been ordained 50 years prior saw something special in the man that would soon join the elite fraternity of priests. Two years ago, while serving his transitional diaconate year at St. Jean Vianney Church, Father Roussel quickly befriended Father Jerry Burns, who is retired and often celebrates Mass at the Baton Rouge church.

Before the internship ended, Father Burns presented his chalice to then – Deacon Roussel to be used after his ordination, which occurred earlier this year on May 22.

Father Burns presented the chalice to Father Roussel when the newly minted priest celebrated his first Mass on May 23 at Our Lady of Peace Church in Vacherie.

“I didn’t know he was going to do it,” Father Roussel said of his initial surprise while at St. Jean Vianney. “About two months into my assignment he gave it to me and said he wanted me to have it and pass on his priesthood.”

“I was very honored, very humbled, and it’s a beautiful chalice,” added Father Roussel. “I felt like in his own unique way he passed on his gift of the priesthood to me by laying hands on me (during ordination) but also in another tangible way by passing on his chalice to me.”

Father Burns, 78, said there was a point two years ago when he began to think about what would happen to his chalice after he was gone, so he said “what about just giving it to (Father Roussel)? I like him, he is very extroverted, and I was purely extroverted when I was younger, although now more balanced.

“He’s quick and well-spoken and during his first Mass he was in total command. It was remarkable how he was in command.”

Father Burns explained the chalice has a special meaning to him, its roots running through an unlikely relationship between his dad and someone he had met earlier in life but would not come friends with until years later. Father Burns recalled how his dad and Herman Vicknair were having a beer together one day after work and realized they had met years earlier. In fact, Father Burns attended Sacred Heart of Jesus School in Baton Rouge with Vicknair’s daughter, and the two remain friends today.

Father Burns’ dad mentioned he had a son in the seminary and Vicknair gave him $20 to give to then seminarian Burns.

Although Father Burns sheepishly admits today he never wrote Vicknair a thank-you letter the two would meet when then – Deacon Burns was serving one summer at St. Louis King of France Church in Baton Rouge. 

Father Burns spoke with Vicknair, who invited the young deacon to dinner the following night. Vicknair quickly became “like a second father” to Father Burns.

Before ordination, Vicknair offered to buy Father Burns his chalice, which was about $700 – $800 at the time.

“My parents could not afford a chalice,” said Father Burns, who has the names “Mickey” (Vicknair’s nickname) and “Murial” (his wife) engraved at the bottom.

That act of generosity resonated 50 years later with Father Burns when recalling that gift, said he thought “it would be a really nice thing to do to give the chalice to a newly ordained priest. And I asked (Father Roussel) to pass it on to the diocese.”

Father Roussel explained that each priest has his own personal chalice and keeps it at whatever parish he is assigned. But he pointed out that a priest’s personal chalice is mostly used for special occasions, and those are also his plans. 

However, when he does use it, perhaps on the anniversary of his ordination or when celebrating his own private Mass, Father Burns will be in his thoughts.

“When (Father Burns) presented the chalice to me (May 23), we embraced and he said ‘I know I made the right choice,’ ” Father Roussel said. “That meant the world to me, because of all of his years of wisdom of being a priest and he sees something in me as a newly ordained priest. 

“I will always have that legacy and without a doubt I have big shoes to fill. Seeing that chalice will be a reason to pray for him.”