The punk guitarist and the policeman become priests: «Why this choice»

Beard and long hair, Giulio Vannucci has the look of an ascetic. But also as a “punk musician”. A music that marked his life and that he will continue to follow even as a priest. Because this morning theformer guitarist and keyboardist of a folk punk band from Tuscany became a priest in Prato Cathedral. «A period in which I had a lot of fun and which I don’t regret», says Don Giulio.

With him, a former carabiniere: Michele Di Stefano was ordained as a priest by the bishop of Prato, Giovanni Nerbini. Two vocations that grew within the diocese of Prato. «The Lord has not chosen managers or supermen, but simple and always generous people» was the wish that Bishop Nerbini addressed to the two priests.

Don Giulio, 38 years old, was born in Pistoia, where he lived until eight years ago, when he decided to join the community of Reconstructors in the Prayer of Prato, based in Villa del Palco. Before developing his vocation, he took two degrees, in literature and in education sciences, and worked as a teacher and educator. But yesHe also tried his hand at punk by playing the guitar and keyboard in the band “i Quanti”, very active in the area. Then the meeting with the Rebuilders and with the figure of Father Guidalberto Bormolini. Don Giulio has thick curly hair and a long beard, a distinctive trait of the male members of the Rebuilders, community known in Prato for having implemented the “Tutto è Vita” village project, an abandoned village in the Municipality of Cantagallo, reborn after having fallen into abandonment. «Recently I have been a bricklayer and I welcomed the many people who came to the village, a wonderful experience. For me, becoming a priest – says Don Giulio – means putting yourself at service even more, it means taking care of everything and everyone.” Many scouts in the Cathedral. Because the new priest is the spiritual guide of the Agesci groups of Prato.

Don Michele, 39 years old, is Sicilian from Gela. At 19 he chose to become a military policeman and was sent to Bardonecchia, in the upper Val di Susa. Here he met Don Mario Bonacchi who has a house where he welcomes many kids for the summer holidays. Canon Bonacchi, as he was called, was the origin of many vocations in the Church of Prato. Arriving in Prato in 2009, two years after the death of the Prato priest, Michele was welcomed by the then bishop Gastone Simoni to attend the seminary and study theology in Florence. Also present at the ordination Mass was a representation of the Prato Carabinieri, in the name of the new priest’s old membership. «Today is not an objective achieved, but the beginning of a new journey, even a tiring one, but I am certain that I am not alone and that I have God’s help – says Don Michele Di Stefano -. It is my intention to be close to people who suffer, who feel alone.”