August 4 | Saint John Vianney

Born: May 8, 1786, Dardilly, France

Died: August 4, 1859, Ars-sur-Formans, France

Nationality: French

Vocation: parish priest 

Attributes: cassock, Bible, crucifix, rosary

Patronage: parish priests (and all priests)

Canonization: 1925, by Pope Pius XI

When the heart is pure and simple it cannot help loving, because it has discovered the source of love which is God.

St. John Vianney, popularly known as the Curé (French for “pastor”) of Ars, is the patron saint of parish priests and all priests.  The Curé de Ars serves as a model for all priests who embark on a mission to save souls through preaching, administering sacraments, and interacting with their parishioners.

Jean-Baptiste-Marie Vianney was born in 1786 in the community of Dardilly, just outside of Lyon, in eastern France. He was named after both the Blessed Mother and St. John the Baptist. His family were poor farmers, and instead of receiving a traditional education, he tended the fields as a young boy, not learning to read and write until he was a young man. His mother, Marie, was a devout woman and she instilled in him a love of God that John carried throughout his entire life.

When John was only 6-years-old, King Louis XVI was deposed by anti-Catholic radical revolutionaries, and executed less than a year later. Growing up during the French Revolution and witnessing the many priests risking their lives to minister to persecuted faithful inspired John’s desire for the priesthood.

As the Church was forced underground, young John had to receive his sacraments in secret. He made his First Communion in a barn and received Confession from a priest who visited his house. When John was 17, it was clear that God was calling him to serve Him as a member of the clergy. “If I am to be a priest, I will win many souls for God.”

A few years later, John was introduced to Fr. Balley, the Curé (pastor) of the nearby town of Ecully. Fr. Balley ran a school for pre-seminary studies and took the young man, who joined, under his wing. At first, John struggled to adjust to his academic studies but was helped by his instructor and classmates. 

However, France, now under the control of Napoleon, was waging war on neighboring Spain. John was drafted into the army, but after prayer he was given refuge by a man who disguised him as a schoolmaster, and a year later, he was able to return to his religious education.

John finally made his Holy Orders in 1815. Three years later, he was sent north to the tiny rural village, Ars. The new pastor quickly fell in love with the tight-knit community with which he was responsible for shepherding. 

Passionate in saving souls, the priest was on fire with the love of God. Fr. Vianney’s homilies were so inspiring that hardened sinners were moved to convert upon hearing him preach. He also loved the poor and performed various acts of charity, including the construction of an orphanage. 

Fr. Vianney was well known for his immense love of the sacrament of confession. He was said to spend up to 16 hours a day in the confessional, seeing one parishioner after another. He was also devoted to the Eucharist, having once remarked, “There is nothing so great as the Eucharist. If God had something more precious, He would have given it to us.” 

He was active as Ars’ priest until his death at the age of 73, over 40 years after he had first arrived there.

St. John Vianney, pray for us.