Today (Wednesday) we remember the life and works of St. John Maria Vianney, Patron of Priests. St. John Maria Vianney was born to a poor family on May 8, 1786, in Dardilly, Lyons, France.
He was an army soldier during the Napoleonic period prior to joining the seminary at Lyons to become a priest.
He was not a very good student, he found philosophical and theological studies very difficult.
Many believed that the man would not be suitable for the priesthood because he did not possess intellectual gifts.
But when his rector was about to dismiss him, the bishop opposed, saying, “The Church wants not only learned priests but, even more, holy ones.”
His perseverance came to a fruition and St. Vianney was ordained a priest in 1815. After his ordination, he was assigned as a parochial vicar of Ecully, France.
In 1818, he was made parish priest of Ars, a tiny village with a population of 230 people. He led his people by example, observing severe austerities, caring for the sick and the poor and many times he did the penance given to his parishioners.
He had a great love of the Blessed Sacrament and Mother Mary and he had a special devotion to St. Philomena. His reputation as a confessor, supported by his power of reading souls, attracted countless crowds to hear him preach.
His words were instrumental in the conversion of thousands of sinners.
In addition to providing catechism classes for the children, St. Vianney spent each day 16 hours in hearing confessions, surviving on only a few hours of sleep and a diet of boiled potatoes.
In 1824, St. John Maria Vianney suffered persecution from other priests, who considered him ignorant and an impostor.
He was even called mad by one priest during the annual retreat of the clergy.
The bishop intervened, saying, “I wish that all my clergy had a small grain of the same madness.”
He was offered many posts but he refused any sort of honorific title.
In 1852 when he was made a monsignor, he sold the cup and cloak and gave the money to the poor.
St. John Maria Vianney died of natural causes on August 4, 1859, in Ars, France. He was venerated on July 26, 1896, by Pope Leo XIII, beatified on January 8, 1905, by Pope Saint Pius X, and canonized on May 31, 1925 by Pope Pius XI.
Miracles have been attributed to the great saint. His humility and perseverance are worth imitating.
Like him, let us also make sacrifices for the welfare of the souls of those who really need our prayers.
SIC: MB