Today we celebrate the feast of
Saint John Vianney（1786-1859). A blessed day.

A man with vision overcomes obstacles and performs
deeds that seem impossible. 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
to seek private tutoring. After a lengthy battle with the
books, John was ordained.

Situations calling for “impossible” deeds followed him
everywhere. 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 short nights of sleep.

With Catherine Lassagne and Benedicta Lardet, he established La Providence, a home for children. Only a man of vision could have such trust that God would provide for the spiritual and material needs of all those who came to the home.

His work as a confessor is John Vianney’s most remarkable
accomplishment. In the winter months he was to spend
11 to 12 hours daily reconciling people with God.
In the summer months this time was increased to 16 hours.

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 and taking it easy,
doing the things they always wanted to do but never had the time. But John Vianney 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.

Who, but a man with vision, could keep going with ever-increasing strength? In 1929, Pope Pius XI named him
the patron of parish priests worldwide.

Indifference toward religion, coupled with a love for material comfort, seem to be common signs of our times. A person from another planet observing us would not likely judge us to be pilgrim people, on our way to somewhere else.

John Vianney on the other hand, was a man on a journey,
with his goal before him at all times.

~~ A Prayer Composed By Saint John Vianney ~~
“I love You, O my God, and my only desire is to love You
until the last breath of my life. I love You, O my infinitely
lovable God, and I would rather die loving You,
than live without loving You.”

Lord, grant us the grace to recite that prayer of
Saint John Vianney.

Wishing you a happy and blessed day.
Father Peter