Meet Brother Steve Vesely, S.T. — Missionary with an Artist’s Heart

It’s been over 40 years since I first entered the novitiate and in that time I have been called to serve God’s poor and abandoned as a Missionary Servant in many ways. It is a true blessing to share my creative gifts with those in need.

As I create a piece of art in whatever form it may be, it becomes a prayer…a message to God.  The work I do with stained glass and clay is definitely an expression of my spirituality.

I’ve always had artistic interests.  Even as a child I liked to draw and paint but it was nothing I pursued seriously.  It wasn’t until 1973, when serving the people of Coamo, Puerto Rico, that I discovered sculpting and began my creative journey.

The parish developed a program for High School drop outs that would teach these young people a marketable skill.  One series of classes taught was on ceramics.  I sat in on those classes and learned to sculpt using terra cotta clay.

My interest in stained glass came later and only as a practical means to an end.  The fact was the windows of St. Blaise Church, where I was missioned, were in disrepair.  I thought to myself, “If I learned to work with stained glass, I could fix them.”   I found a stained glass studio in San Juan – a two hour drive from Coamo.  After two classes, I said, “I can do this!”…and never returned.

I am currently working on two very important stained glass projects.  With the help of Brother Howard Piller, S.T., the new window for Sacred Heart Church in Camden, Mississippi, is nearly complete.  And, I have been asked by Father Jesús Ramirez, S.T., to create two large and two small windows for our church in Iztapalapa, Mexico, currently under construction.

Each new day brings with it new blessings.  The ability to give back to communities in need through my artwork is a great blessing indeed!   I thank God for this gift and I thank you for your generous support.