Saint John Mary Vianney (1786 – 1859), also known as the Cure d’Ars, is one of my favorite saints, writes Father Seamus Kettner, pictured above, the new pastor of Holy Redeemer parish in Burton.
His feast day holds a special day in my heart especially as a young priest. There are so many reasons as to why I look up to him, but I will share two. I believe these two characteristics can be applied to any and all vocations. As a first-year pastor, I need to be especially reminded of these traits, but I believe we can all benefit from them as disciples to Jesus.
First, Saint John Vianney was completely and utterly dedicated to his PRAYER. He did not see it as a sometimes or even most of the time thing. He saw it as an EVERYDAY practice and discipline that he clung to desperately. You see, Saint John Vianney knew how utterly helpless he was without the grace and divine assistance of God.
He could have been tempted to spiritual pride in seeing thousands of pilgrims come to him for Confession. Or, he could have died from mere exhaustion from the amount of time he spent teaching catechism lessons to kids. Yet, he did not.
How? He was a man of steadfast PRAYER. It is important to know our vocation in how to prudently prayer and how much time to pray. But it is a part of every vocation to PRAY.
Second, I am always struck by Saint John Vianney’s PERSEVERANCE. He could have given up being a priest because of the French Revolution. He could have given up when his father enlisted him in the army. He could have given up when he failed Latin many times over. He could have given up when his mother, whom he loved dearly, died. He could have given up when the people of Ars wanted him out.
Thank God, he did not!
He persevered! He persisted through the pains and sufferings of life as a true champion for Christ. I admire him for this. I believe this grace was given to him through the intercession of the Blessed Virgin Mary. He had intense devotion to her his whole life. May we do the same, and through the intercession of Saint John Vianney become saints ourselves!
Saint John Mary Vianney, pray for us!
