Saint of the Day: St. John Mary Vianney
St. John Mary Vianney, (Saint Jean Baptiste Vianney in French), also known as the Cure of Ars, is such a special saint that one post hardly seems enough to write about how holy and precious he is. I would like to share a brief biography as well as some of my favorite quotes, and prayers to St. John Vianney. Today marks the 150th anniversary of the saint’s death and comes during the newly-begun Year for Priests . Pope Benedict inaugurated the Year for Priests on June 19, and wrote a Letter to Clergy, encouraging all priests to look to the Curé of Ars as an example of dedication to one’s priestly calling. St. John Vianney was born May 8, 1786 in the village of Dardilly in France. The son of a poor farmer, he worked as a shepherd on the farm in his youth and taught other children their prayers and catechism. He did not receive any formal education until he was 20 years old. While a student, he was called for military service, and became a delinquent military recruit more or less becaus...