Dear Parishioners:
On Monday, we celebrate the Feast Day of Saint John Marie Baptist Vianney, commonly known as the Curé d’Ars. He was born May 8, 1786, in France. St. John Vianney was the fourth of six children. Growing up during the era of the French Revolution, it was difficult and challenging to openly profess one’s faith because of the persecution of the Catholic Church.
During this dire time in history, priests endured the horrors of execution by the guillotine. To avoid this punishment, priests would disguise themselves as peddlers and farmers. Since churches were closed, priests were obliged to say Mass in secrecy, often in places such as farmhouses. Vianney and his family had to walk approximately a mile at night to attend Mass. Vianney proved to be a pious boy from a young age and was destined for the priesthood. St. John Vianney placed his entire trust in the Blessed Virgin.
By the age of seventeen, St. John Vianney had matured significantly. He was deeply passionate about his vocation to win souls for the Lord as a priest. His mother supported the idea, but it took his father a few years to come around to it. Although St. John Vianney was then quickly enrolled in classes for his priestly vocation, he was significantly older than the other boys and struggled with learning the Latin language.
In 1809, though still a student, St. John Vianney was drafted into the military. However, because he failed to join his detachment, he was considered a deserter. Finding refuge in a small village known as Les Robins, St. John Vianney settled there for a couple of years. The police discovered him and he began to pray, promising the Lord he would never complain about anything again. The gendarmes left without taking him away. St. John Vianney felt deep gratitude for the Lord, and even in later years, he never once broke that promise.
After the many delays, trials, and suffering, St. John Vianney was ordained in 1815 and three years afterward was sent to the small, remote village known as Ars. Many of the villagers led lives of immoral behavior, drunkenness, and debauchery. Many suffered from ignorance of the faith. St. John Vianney endured severe penances and great fasting for the souls of Ars.
Preaching excellent sermons in the pulpit, with pastoral zeal, St. John Vianney would castigate these men and women for their vile behavior as well as exclaim the greatness and beauty of surrendering ourselves every day to the will of Our Father. Truly only wanting the conversion of his parish, in the pulpit, he would touch the weak spots of these men and women.
He was constantly tormented by the Devil, opened a free school for orphan girls, utilized his gift to read the souls of men, and spent hours in the confessional, all while undergoing harsh penances. St. John Vianney died on August 4, 1859. He was canonized by Pope Pius XI and recognized as the patron saint of parish priests by Saint Pope John Paul II.
The Curé d’Ars is renowned for his profound devotion to the Church and his unwavering dedication to the sacrament of confession. His life inspires all priests, as he exemplified a genuinely holy priest through his humility, selflessness, and unwavering faith. His work as a confessor is St. John Vianney’s most remarkable accomplishment. He was to spend 11 to 12 hours daily reconciling people with God in the winter months. In the summer months, this time was increased to 16 hours.
He is known as the patron saint of confessors and serves as a role model for all priests in their duty to shepherd their flock and lead them toward God’s mercy. One of his spiritual gifts was his ability to read souls. Many people who came to confession reported feeling as though he could see into their hearts and understand their deepest thoughts and struggles. He famously said, "God's mercy is like an overflowing river. It carries souls along with it in its current." This encapsulates his belief in the boundless mercy of God available through the Sacrament of Confession.
I humbly ask for your prayers for me, Fr. Brodeur, and all priests on Monday. May the Curé d’Ars, St. John Vianney, intercede for us! Be well. Do good. God Bless. Go Sox!