Deacon Francis Valliere

Deacon Francis was born and raised in Westerly, Rhode Island. After a spiritual awakening in 1988, he was drawn to the daily Mass. A Cursillo
retreat weekend, then changed his life forever. Feeling called to lead others to Christ, he decided to extend his education at Providence College under the tutelage of Fr. Robert Justin Henesy, Dean of Theology. There, he studied theology, philosophy and delved deeper into an already extensive study of the Patristic Fathers. He answered the call to the Permanent Diaconate in 1997 and entered into formation one year later. He entered the master’s program in Pastoral Ministries and was ordained in 2002 and appointed as Deacon Assistant at St. Pius X parish in Westerly, Rhode Island. He spent four years in prison ministry and has taught, along with his wife Donna, the RCIA program for the last 25 years at his parish.

Deacon Fran has a profound appreciation for the Sacred Arts. He is the current coordinator of the Sacred Art Institute here on Enders Island and
has successfully curated multiple Sacred Art Exhibits over the past two years, including most recently, at The Union League Club on Park Ave., The 33 CLUB in NYC, Westerly, RI. Gallery Exhibit “For His Greater Glory”, with ongoing exhibits planned throughout 2023/2024! “With the excitement generated over our current “Call for Artists” to Exhibit at the Museum at Blessed Michael McGivney Center, and in Indianapolis, at “The National Eucharistic Congress Convention Center” in 2024! It is sure to be one of our best exhibits yet!”

He has given lectures on “Theology for  beginners”, “Morality, a Catholic View”, “The Early Fathers of the Church” and other subjects. Deacon Francis has authored the devotional book  The Merciful Mysteries of the Rosary” and will be releasing his second book, “365 Days with a Loving Father” in the near future. Over the last twenty-five years, he developed the popular website “Christ’s Faithful People” which offers a vast library of Catholic writings, catechisms, papal documents, patristic writings, and more for research and general catechetical purposes.

Deacon Francis is no stranger to the craft of the Sacred Arts, carving his own works in relief under the mentorship of Hungarian, master carver, Ferenc Wohner.