SAINTS

Touching final scene from the movie "St. Vincent", 

Starring Bill Murray.

"Saints are Human Beings we celebrate for their commitment and dedication to other Human Beings."

Brother Gerharty, 

circa-around March.

(Laughs.)

INT. ST. FRANCIS DE SALES - AUDITORIUM - CONTINUOUS

Oliver’s in mid-presentation. On the massive projection screen behind him, we see a portrait of St. William of Rochester. Click. 

The screen refreshes...and a picture of Vin pops up.

OLIVER :

For my Modern Day Saint, I chose a man who shares many of the same qualities as St. William of Rochester:

INT. ST. FRANCIS DE SALES - CONTINUOUS

Outside the auditorium. Vincent stands in front of a marquee board. It’s the “Saint Wall.” Under each student’s name are two pictures: a real Saint next to a Modern Day Saint.

 

Under Oliver Bornstein, we find: St. William of Rochester and...Vincent Canatella. 

And he’s one fucked-up looking “Saint.” Eyes black, face distorted, assuredly on drugs, lying in his hospital bed.

 

Vin stares at the picture of himself.

He hears Oliver’s voice within. 

Walks to the auditorium doors.

On the surface, one might think that my candidate is least-likely for sainthood : 

He's NOT a Happy Person.

He doesn't like People, and not many people like him.

He's grumpy, angry, mad at The World and I'm sure, full of regrets.

He drinks too much, smokes, he gambles, curses, lies and cheats. 

And he spends a lot of time with a Lady of The Night.

But that's what you see at first glace -- 

if you dig deeper, you'll see A Man Beyond His Flaws.

Mr. Vincent Mckenna was born in 1946 in Sheepshead Bay, the son of first generation Irish immigrants.

Growing up poor on the streets of Brooklyn, Vincent learned all the things a kid SHOULDN'T need to know. 

Fighting, cursing and gambling.

The slide show shuffles images of VINCENT AS A BABY.

Then a YOUNG BOY. Poor. Tough. Street. Pictures of a hard life. 

All the memories Vin had tossed in the trash.

In 1965, as a member of United States Army’s 5th Regiment, Vincent was among the 450 soldiers dropped into the la Drang Valley, and immediately ambushed by 2000 Enemy troops.

A headshot of Vincent as a young Marine in Vietnam. 

Smoking a cigarette, proud, strong.

There, he heroically saved the lives of two wounded officers pinned down by enemy fire,  and carried them to safety.

He was awarded the Bronze Star for his Bravery.

Newspaper clippings of Vin’s heroics. 

A picture of Vin receiving the Bronze Star. 

In the back of the auditorium, Vin is frozen...seeing his life through the eyes of another.

I imagine the best way I can tell you who Vincent McKenna is...is to tell you what he’s done for me.

When me and my mom first moved here, we knew no one. 

And Mr. McKenna took me in -- when he didn’t HAVE to, and most likely didn’t WANT to.

But he did it anyhow. 

Because THAT'S What Saints Do.

A wedding picture of Vin and Sandy pops up on the screen.

We visited his wife, Sandy, of forty years who recently passed away.

Vin did her laundry every week for the past eight years, long after she no longer recognized him.

Because Saints NEVER Give Up.

A picture of VIN AS A FIGHTER, with boxing gloves on.

HE TAUGHT ME HOW TO FIGHT - HOW TO STAND MY GROUND AND BE BRAVE - HOW TO SPEAK-UP AND BE BOLD

Because Saints Fight for Themselves and Others - 

So That They Might Be HEARD.

He taught me How to Gamble. 

Horse racing, Keno, the over and under --

Which is a big reason why I’m grounded till I’m eighteen.

But in that, I learned how to take risks and go for broke. 

Because in Life, the odds can be stacked against you.

This is Vin’s cat, Felix, who eats gourmet cat food, while Vin eats sardines.

Because Saints Make SACRIFICES.

Yes, Mr. Vincent McKenna is flawed -- SERIOUSLY flawed.

But just like all the other Saints we have studied.

Because after all, Saints are Human Beings. VERY human beings.

Courage, Sacrifice, Compassion, Humanity

These are the markings of a Saint. 

And what makes Mr. Vincent McKenna not so far removed from William of Rochester...

And with that, I’d like to present my friend and baby sitter, Mr. Vincent McKenna for Sainthood.

And hereby proclaim him 

St. Vincent Sheepshead Bay.

The place is wild with applause.

Vin doesn’t know what to do. People are looking around for him. Finally...he starts walking down the aisle.

Brother Crespi helps Vin up the steps. And towards Oliver, who’s holding the “Saint Medal.”

Vin steps in front of Oliver. He leans over as Oliver puts the medal around his neck.

VINCENT :

Thanks, kkkid.

OLIVER :

Thank you, sir.

And...without warning...Vin starts crying. 

Maybe for the first time in his life.

PEOPLE rise in their seats to applaud him.

Oliver hugs Vin.