Saint John Vianney, Saint of the day for August 4th

(May 8, 1786 - August 4, 1859)

The story of St. John Vianney
A man with vision overcomes obstacles and performs actions that seem impossible. John Vianney was a man with a vision: he wanted to become a priest. But he had to overcome his poor formal education, which inadequately prepared him for seminary studies.

His inability to understand Latin lessons forced him to stop. But his vision of being a priest prompted him to seek a private tutor. After a long battle with the books, John was ordained.

Situations calling for "impossible" actions followed him everywhere. As pastor of Ars parish, John met people who were indifferent and quite comfortable with their lifestyle. His vision led him through strong fasts and short nights of sleep.

With Catherine Lassagne and Benedicta Lardet, he founded La Providence, a house for girls. Only a man of vision could have such confidence that God would provide the spiritual and material needs of all those who came to make Providence their home.

His work as a confessor is the most notable achievement of John Vianney. In the winter months he would spend 11-12 hours a day 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 gift of himself day after day.

Many people can't wait to retire and take it easy, doing the things they've always wanted to do but never had time. But John Vianney wasn't thinking about retirement. As his fame spread, more hours were spent serving God's people. Even the few hours he allowed himself to sleep were frequently disturbed by the devil.

Who, if not a man with vision, could go on with ever increasing strength? In 1929, Pope Pius XI named him patron of parish priests around the world.

Reflection
Indifference to religion, coupled with a love of material comfort, seem to be common signs of our times. A person from another planet who is watching us probably would not judge us as pilgrims, traveling somewhere else. John Vianney, on the other hand, was a man on the go, with his goal ahead of him at all times.