MONTPELIER (AP) - A Vermont Roman Catholic priest will be delivering the daily prayer in the U.S. Senate.

Sen. Bernie Sanders recommended Rev. Marcel Rainville and Senate Chaplain Rear Admiral Barry Black chose the Vermont cleric to deliver the opening prayer on Thursday.

Father Rainville is a long-time member of the Vermont-based Society of St. Edmund. He's worked in a poor neighborhood in Caracas, Venezuela, and counseled students at St. Michael's College in Colchester.

He now directs efforts to bring new members into the Society of St. Edmund.

A prayer and the Pledge of Allegiance are recited each day in the Senate.

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