The feast day of St. John Vianney is celebrated on August 4. St. John was born into a family of farmers on May 8 1786 in Dardilly, France.
St. John lived through the French Revolution. Because their work had to be done in secret, he admired the courage of priests. He received his first communion and confirmation in secret at the age of 13.
When John was 20, he left home to study in Ecully, struggling to learn Latin. He was drafted in 1809 into Napolean’s army. He soon fell ill and was hospitalized. While praying in a church he met a man who led him into the mountains where deserters met. He lived with them for fourteen months. While living there he opened a school for the local children.
It wasn’t until 1810 that deserters were granted amnesty. He returned to his studies and was ordained a deacon in June 1815. On August 12, 1815 he was ordained a priest. St. John Vianney became the parish priest of the Ars parish. Father Vianney spent many hours hearing confessions. He was also known for his sermons calling everyone to repent from their sins. His fame as a confessor spread and soon pilgrims began arriving. As many as 20,000 pilgrims a year came to confess their sins to hm. He spent as many as 16 hours a day hearing confessions.
Father Vianney wanted to become a monk and spend his time praying alone. He attempted to leave Ars four times before deciding he was meant to stay and hear confessions. He became known as the Holy Cure de Ars. He was always kind, patient, gentle and cheerful.
On August 4, 1859, St. John Vianney died peacefully fter serving as a parish priest for 41 years.
His body was exhumed in 1859 due to the impending beatification, and was found to be incorrupt. His heart, later removed, is kept in a building known as the Shrine of the Cure’s Heart.
Pope Pius IX canonized St. John Vianney on May 31, 1925.
The most Holy Virgin places herself between her Son and us. The greater sinners we are, the more tenderness and compassion does she feel for us. The child that has cost its mother the most tears is the dearest to her heart.
Quote of St. John Vianney
August is the Month of the Immaculate Heart of Mary