Today, the Church honors St. Jean-Marie Vianney, the beloved Cure d'Ars, Patron Pastors and model for priests (and all of us). He was a contemporary of St. Marcellin Champagnat, Fr. Jean-Claude Colin, and other members of the Twelve who made the Fourviere Pledge to inaugurate the Society of Mary, desiring himself to join them, but denied by the Bishop. He is noted for his humility, simplicity and extraordinary gifts as a confessor, spending up to 18 hours a day in the confessional where people from all over France and Europe came to confess.
We might ask what kind of life did he have for himself? In today's standards, the answer would be NONE! His life was dedicated to his parishioners and all who came for spiritual healing. His surviving homilies demonstrate his simple, direct style that was effective in changing the life of a "dead parish" into one that was very much alive...However, it was his EXAMPLE more than his words that moved people to change their lives. So much did he live for others that his vesting table in the church sacristy is worn down where he used to lean on it to catch a few winks between the confessional and the altar. One could guess that he did not get the "recommended" hours of sleep!
He was tempted to give up and tried to "escape" from this demanding life, but each time, grace turned him back. He died at the age of 73 after over 40 years of serving rather than being served. St. Jean- Marie, when I'm tempted to give up or run away from serving others, obtain for me the grace to continue as you did.
Bro. Rene
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