St. John Vianney
On the Grapevine 39
St. John Vianney (also known as the Cure d'Ars) was approached by a woman of very ample proportions and asked "What must I do to get into heaven?" He humorously answered, "3 Lents, my daughter." Young John Vianney grew up during the French Revolution. Loyal priests were forced to hide from the government and risked their lives to sneak the sacraments to people. The Vianneys traveled to distant farms to secretly attend Mass in houses with the windows covered (to hide the light of the candles), and John began to see priests as heros.
As a young man, he was drafted into Napolean's army, but deserted and eventually entered seminary. He was ordained a priest and three years later made parish priest of a little town in France called Ars. His reputation as a confessor, spiritual director, and incredibly patient man brought people from all over Europe to see him. In fact, for a time, he listened to confessions for 16 hours a day. He practiced severe penances, was often attacked by the devil, and filled his life with self-giving acts of love. He longed for contemplative monastic life. He died in 1859 and later his body was found to be incorrupt. He is the patron saint of priests. Please be sure to pray for them and ask for his intercession for them. You can read more about him HERE.
As a young man, he was drafted into Napolean's army, but deserted and eventually entered seminary. He was ordained a priest and three years later made parish priest of a little town in France called Ars. His reputation as a confessor, spiritual director, and incredibly patient man brought people from all over Europe to see him. In fact, for a time, he listened to confessions for 16 hours a day. He practiced severe penances, was often attacked by the devil, and filled his life with self-giving acts of love. He longed for contemplative monastic life. He died in 1859 and later his body was found to be incorrupt. He is the patron saint of priests. Please be sure to pray for them and ask for his intercession for them. You can read more about him HERE.
Prayer of St. John Vianney
I love You, O my God,
and my only desire is to love You until the last breath of my life.
I love You, O my infinitely lovable God,
and I would rather die loving You, than live without loving You.
I love You, Lord
and the only grace I ask is to love You eternally...
My God,
if my tongue cannot say in every moment that I love You,
I want my heart to repeat it to You as often as I draw breath.
and my only desire is to love You until the last breath of my life.
I love You, O my infinitely lovable God,
and I would rather die loving You, than live without loving You.
I love You, Lord
and the only grace I ask is to love You eternally...
My God,
if my tongue cannot say in every moment that I love You,
I want my heart to repeat it to You as often as I draw breath.