| Jean-Marie
Vianney was an undistinguished man until his extraordinary gift of psychological insight
and skill in individual counseling was revealed in his ministry. His direction, primarily
given through the Sacrament of Reconciliation, was characterized by common sense,
remarkable insight, and extraordinary knowledge through the power of the Holy Spirit. He
was able to sense the deeper truth beyond the words of the person seeking reconciliation
and provide guidance. It was said of him that he could see into people's souls. As his
fame spread, people came from hundreds of miles to hear him preach and to receive his
private counsel.
During the last ten years of his life, he spent from 13 to 18 hours a day in the
confessional. His advice was sought by bishops, priests, religious, young men and women in
doubt as to their vocation, sinners, persons in all sorts of difficulties, and the sick.
By 1855, the number of pilgrims to Ars reached twenty thousand a year.
The irony is that at 29, Jean-Marie Vianney was ordained over the objections of many
Catholics in his area, and only after his superiors decided that his zeal and devotion
compensated for his "academic under-qualification." He was thought to be so
incompetent that he was put under the direction of Fr. Balley, who first recognized and
encouraged his vocation. After Fr. Balley's death, Fr. Vianney was appointed parish priest
in the small and obscure village of Ars. There he began visiting
 his parishioners;
ministering to the sick and poor; championing campaigns against drinking, dancing and
immodest dress, and establishing an orphanage for destitute girls, which became a model
for similar institutions throughout France.
In the process of being declared a saint of the Roman Catholic Church, miracles were
attributed through his intercession. However, some feel the greatest miracle was his life,
itself. For forty years his food and sleep were insufficient to sustain life. Yet he
labored incessantly, with unfailing humility, gentleness, patience, and cheerfulness, in
service to the people of God. His life is a reminder that everyone, no matter what their
status in life, is capable of doing great things in God's name.
Fr. Vianney was canonized in 1925 by Pope Pius XI, and made patron saint of clergy
throughout the world in 1929. His feast day is August 4th.
For more information on the life
and teachings of St. John Vianney (also known as the "Cure of Ars ") Also
see:
|
“My
little children, your hearts are small, put prayer stretches
them and makes them capable of loving God. Through prayer we
receive a foretaste of heaven and something of paradise
comes down upon us. Prayer never leaves us without
sweetness. It is honey that flows into the soul and makes
all things sweet. When we pray properly, sorrows disappear
like snow before the sun.” 
