Known as the Cure of Ars, St John Vianney is the beloved patron of parish priests.
Born in Lyons, France, he was a delayed vocation who had great difficulty with his seminary studies. Sent to Ars, where few people practiced their faith, he transformed the parish by his holiness, preaching, prayer and penance. People flocked to Ars to confess to this holy pastor, who often spent 16 hours a day in the confessional. After 42 years in Ars, St John Vianney died on 4 August; he was canonised in 1925.
God, please give to your Church today
many more priests after your own heart.
May they be worthy representatives of Christ the Good Shepherd.
May they wholeheartedly devote themselves to prayer and penance;
be examples of humility and poverty;
shining models of holiness;
tireless and powerful preachers of the Word of God;
zealous dispensers of your grace in the sacraments.
May their loving devotion to your Son Jesus in the Eucharist
and to Mary his Mother
be the twin fountains of fruitfulness for their ministry.
Amen
Prayer by St. John Vianney
Main Image: A stained-glass window featuring St John Vianney in the Cathedral Of St Paul in St Paul. Minnesota. Image: Sharon Mollerus/Flickr.