John Vianney
John Vianney (born Jean-Marie Vianney and later Jean-Marie-Baptiste Vianney;[2] 8 May 1786 – 4 August 1859) was a French Catholic priest often referred to as the Curé d'Ars ("the parish priest of Ars"). He is known for his priestly and pastoral work in his parish in Ars, France, resulting in the radical spiritual transformation of the community and its surroundings.
John Vianney
John-Mary Baptiste Vianney
(Jean-Marie Baptiste Vianney in French)
8 May 1786
Dardilly, Lyonnais, Kingdom of France
4 August 1859 (aged 73)
Ars-sur-Formans, Ain, French Empire
8 January 1905, Vatican City by Pope Pius X
31 May 1925, Vatican City by Pope Pius XI
Shrine of St. John Vianney, Ars-sur-Formans, Ain, France
- 4 August
- 8 August (Pre-1969 Roman Calendar)
- 9 August (Church of England)
Catholics note his saintly life, mortification, persevering ministry in the sacrament of confession, and ardent devotion to the Blessed Virgin Mary. He was canonized in 1925 and his feast day is August 4. He is the patron saint of parish priests.
Curé (priest) of Ars[edit]
In 1818, shortly after the death of Balley, Vianney was appointed parish priest of the parish of Ars, a town of 230 inhabitants.[10] When Vianney's bishop first assigned him to Ars, Vianney got lost trying to find the town. Two young men tending flocks in the fields pointed him in the right direction.[12]
With Catherine Lassagne and Benedicta Lardet, he established La Providence, a home for girls.[13]
As parish priest, Vianney realized that the Revolution's aftermath had resulted in religious ignorance and indifference, due to the devastation wrought on the Catholic Church in France. At the time, Sundays in rural areas were spent working in the fields, or dancing and drinking in taverns. Vianney spent time in the confessional and gave homilies against blasphemy and profane dancing.[10] If his parishioners did not give up this dancing, he refused them absolution.[14] His stern sermons were later collected together in the famous "Sermons of the Curé of Ars," along with his moral Catechetical Instructions.
There are dozens of institutions, including schools, seminaries, and churches named after Vianney in countries including Belize, Brazil, Canada, Guatemala, Haiti, Ireland, India, Pakistan, Philippines, England, United States, Nigeria, South Africa, New Zealand and Australia.
This article incorporates text from a publication now in the : Herbermann, Charles, ed. (1913). "St. Jean-Baptiste-Marie Vianney". Catholic Encyclopedia. New York: Robert Appleton Company.
