S JOHN MARY VIANNEY (1786-1859) - 04th Aug

John Vianney was a man with vision; he wanted to become a priest. But he had to overcome his meager formal schooling, which inadequately prepared him for seminary studies. 

    His failure to comprehend Latin lectures forced him to discontinue. But his vision of being a Priest urged him and after a lengthy battle with the books, John was ordained. 

    As Pastor of the parish at Ars, John encountered people who were indifferent and quite comfortable with their style of living. His vision led him through severe fasts and less sleep. 

    His work as a confessor is John Vianney’s most remarkable accomplishment. Unless a man was dedicated to his vision of a priestly vocation, 

    he could not have endured this giving of self day after day. Many people look forward to retirement but John had no thoughts of retirement. As his fame spread, 

    more hours were consumed in serving God’s people. Even the few hours he would allow himself for sleep were disturbed frequently by the devil. In 1929, Pope Pius XI named him the 

    patron of Parish Priests worldwide. Pope Benedict XVI declared Vianney the Universal Patron of Priests on the occasion 150 death anniversary.

    HAPPY FEAST TO ALL PARISH PRIESTS!





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