On August 4th we celebrate the feast day of St John Vianney. Considering that Pope Benedict has made this year "The Year of the Priest," we have a powerful intercessor through St. John Vianney who was also given the title of "patron saint of priests" this year. St John Vianney is remembered for being a powerful confessor with the gift of being able to read souls. He would listen to confessions 16 hours a day and could convert the hardest sinner at his words. Throngs of people would line up to confess to him from all around France where he was made to be a parish priest in the small village of Ars in 1818. He led a life of extreme mortification living off potatoes and water and sleeping on hard floors or slabs of wood. He offered all this for the conversion of sinners. He was a wonder worker loved by the crowds and had much patience and a child like simplicity to him. He was constantly being harassed by satan himself and had a deep love for the Blessed Sacrament. He died on August 4, 1859 and to this day is remembered as the living image of our priests with a heart after Christ. Perhaps we can try to make it to mass today or at least call upon his strong intercession for our families, our priests, and an increase in the priesthood."All the good works in the world are not equal to the Holy Sacrifice of the Mass because they are the works of men; but the Mass is the work of God. Martyrdom is nothing in comparison for it is but the sacrifice of man to God; but the Mass is the sacrifice of God for man."
- St. John Vianney, Cure d'Ars
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