Saint of the day - August 4

John Maria Vianney was a French Catholic priest who is venerated as the patron saint of parish priests. Pope Pius X proposed him as a model of parochial clergy for his extraordinary devotion and life which he committed to the church ministry. John is known for his priestly and pastoral work in his parish in Ars, France, because of the radical spiritual transformation of the community and its surroundings. Catholics attribute this to his saintly life, mortification, persevering ministry in the sacrament of confession, and ardent devotion to the Blessed Virgin Mary.

John Vianney was born on May 8, 1786 in the French town of Dardilly, France. The turbulence of the French Revolution marked his childhood. The anticlerical ideology of the times made it a dangerous time for religious people and many priests were forced into hiding. They conducted their ministry in secret, risking their lives in the process.

Because the French Revolution had interrupted his early education, John struggled in his studies especially Latin. But his deep determination to become a priest let him prevail over his difficulties.

His education was once again interrupted in 1809 when he was drafted into Napoleon’s army. However, John fell ill and could not continue in the army. After his recovery, John happened to join a group of deserters, instead of returning to the army, and lived with them for 14 months under the name ‘Jerome Vincent’. As Jerome Vincent, he opened a school for the village children.

In March 1810, he was able to return to Ecully and resume his ecclesiastical studies when an imperial decree granted amnesty to all deserters.

John Vianney attended a minor seminary at Verrieres-en-Forez and was later sent to the major seminary at Lyons in 1813. He still struggled with his schooling, as he was poor student. However, Abbe Balley persuaded the Vicar general that John Vianney’s extraordinary piety made up for his limitations. John was finally ordained a priest on August 12, 1815 and was appointed Abbe Balley’s assistant.

When Abbe Balle passed away three years later, John Vianney was appointed parish priest of the town of Ars. This opened his eyes to the sordid state of the community of 230 people.

During the course of his assignment in Ars, John Vianney strived to transform the town spiritually. He vehemently preached against blasphemy and pagan dancing, and refused to give absolution to parishioners who did not obey.

It took John Vianney 10 years to bring spiritual renewal to Ars. His perseverance resulted in greater attendance in his church and the people turning away from their vices. The town taverns started closing down and domestic quarrels reduced considerably.

John Vianney found great joy in teaching the children catechism, and he spread love for the rosary among the people. Together with Catherine Lassagne and Benedicte Lardet, he founded La Providence, a home for girls.

Till 1853, John Vianney had attempted to run away from Ars four times, each attempt with the intention of becoming a monk but decided after the final time that it was not to be.

By 1855, about 20,000 people would visit him, seeking his counsel. In the last ten years of his life, he would spend 16 to 18 hours per day in the confessional.

On August 4, 1859, John Vianney died at the age of 73. More than 6,000 people and 300 priests attended the funeral and it was presided by the bishop. He was canonized in 1925 by Pope Pius XI.

Other Saints of the Day
1. Saint Raynerius of Spalatro
2. Saint Tertullinus
3. Saint Euphronius
4. Saint Aristarchus
5. Saint Agabius

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