Memorial of St. John Vianney, Priest
Today the Church remembers the life of St. John Vianney, the Cure of Ars. He grew up during the French Revolution when church worship was banned and schooling limited, He was inspired by the women and men he viewed as heroes who quietly carried on the traditions of Catechesis, Eucharist and other Sacraments ‘in secret’, at risk to their lives. When public faith practices were restored, he pursued his education and studied for the priesthood. He was beloved as a pastor and devoted himself to making sacraments and pastoral care available to the people. He was an appreciated confessor because of his wisdom, insight and care given. His dedication was legendary - often sitting in the confessional for 16 hours a day, with long lines of the faithful seeking his wisdom. St. John Vianney, is known as the patron saint of priests, because he united his heart to Jesus, and lived his life according to the heart of Christ - showing deep compassion as well as the invitation to conversion and change to be more fully reconciled with God’s love. The heart is important Scripturally as it is known as a person’s hidden center of emotional, intellectual and moral activity. For this reason, On the 150th anniversary of his death, Pope Benedict XVI declared a Year for Priests, beginning with the Feast of the Sacred Heart in June 2009 through June 2010 to strive for spiritual perfection, with St. John Vianney as a model. He saw the Curé d'Ars as "a true example of a pastor at the service of Christ's flock”.
The Scriptures chosen for this Memorial speak of the God of unconditional love who both challenges our ‘less than holy’ behaviors and always invites us to change and be fully reconciled. May we, like Peter of the Gospel, have the courage to ‘get out of our known ‘boats’,’ and faithfully risk walking on our “troubled waters” to a new connection and deeper trust with Jesus. Let us pray for the courage of all in pastoral roles and the graces needed for ministry in our day. May all of our hearts grow to be more like that of Jesus. St. John Vianney, pray with us, and teach us how to faithfully convey the love of Christ from the depths of our hearts.
—Sr. Leanne Jablonski, FMI (Marianist Sister)