John Vianney was the saint whose feast day we celebrated yesterday, August 4. Having grown up in the era of the French revolution, Vianney experienced many obstacles in following his faith and becoming a priest. He had very little schooling and just barely got through his seminary studies. He was put in a parish in a rural area of France, where it was thought by the Bishop that he would do the least harm. At his parish, he found a congregation that was very indifferent to the faith. Through fasting and prayer, he endured and grew in his abilities and wisdom. He became well-known for his preaching, for his compassion and zeal as a confessor, and for his compassion as a spiritual director. As his reputation grew, it is said that he had more than 300 people visited him each day from all over France to hear him preach and to go to the sacrament of reconciliation with him.
Having died in 1859, John Vianney was canonized a saint in 1925 by Pope Pius XI, who made John Vianney the patron saint of parish priests in 1929. Pope John Paul II visited the French village of Ars in 1986 in connection with the 200th anniversary of John Vianney’s birth, calling him “a sign of courage for those who today experience the grace of being called to the priesthood.” On the 150th anniversary of his death, Pope Benedict XVI declared the Year of the Priest. Last year, on the 160th anniversary of his death, Pope Francis wrote a letter to his priests on August 4. Pope Francis commended the “countless priests (who) make of their lives a work of mercy in areas or situations that are often hostile, isolated or ignored, even at the risk of their lives.” To persevere in the priesthood, Pope Francis calls his priests to the virtue of gratitude, stating: “Only if we are able to contemplate and feel genuine gratitude for all those ways we have experienced God’s love, generosity, solidarity and trust, as well as his forgiveness, patience, forbearance and compassion, will we allow the Spirit to grant us the freshness that can renew (and not simply patch up) our life and mission.” This is good advice not only for priests, but for all the faithful.
As a parish priest myself, I certainly see St John Vianney as a wonderful model of faith, as someone whose example can inspire all the faithful on their journey of faith. Today, we united our prayers with the prayers of St John Vianney. In special way, I ask all of you to pray for the parish priests serving in the Diocese of Jackson. Blessings to all of you on this wonderful feast day.
Father Lincoln
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