Tomorrow is the memorial of the Cure of Ars' or St. John Vianney. He was a devoted parish Priest who was renowned for his preaching, his prayer life, devotion to May and his perseverance in being a patient confessor. Many Catholics would travel to Ars from long distances just to go to confession to Fr. Vianney.
He lived during a difficult period in France, from 1786 to 1859, when the Catholic Church was not always well received by French authorites. St. John Vianney, at the parish level, restored confidence in the church and the priesthood.
Pope Pius XI canonized Vianney in 1925. He has become the patron saint of all priests, particularly parish priests and all confessors. Just last year Pope Benedict XVI used the occasion of the 150th anniversary of the death of Vianney to declare a year long celebration for priests.
His example of a faith filled local Catholic priest and his devotion to his ministry should encourage us today to pray for our priests and vocations to the priesthood.
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