St. John Vianney: The Curé of Ars and Patron Saint of Priests
Quick answer
St. John Vianney (1786–1859) was a French parish priest, the Curé of Ars. Though he struggled with his studies, he transformed a small village through prayer, penance, preaching and long hours in the confessional. Pilgrims came from across France to confess to him. He is the patron saint of parish priests, and his feast is August 4.
Key takeaways
- He grew up during the French Revolution, when priests had to say Mass in secret.
- He struggled with Latin and nearly failed his seminary studies.
- He was sent to Ars, a village of about 230 people, in 1818 and stayed for 41 years.
- In his later years he heard confessions for many hours each day.
He was not clever by the world’s standards, and his teachers almost sent him home. But St. John Vianney became one of the most beloved priests in the history of the Church, because he loved God and his people with his whole heart.
A Boyhood in Hard Times
Jean-Marie Vianney was born on May 8, 1786, near Lyon, France, into a farming family. Soon after, the French Revolution closed the churches. Priests who stayed loyal to Rome had to hide, and young John made his First Communion in secret, in a farmhouse with the shutters closed.
The Struggling Seminarian
He wanted to be a priest, but he had little schooling, and Latin was very hard for him. A local priest, Father Charles Balley, tutored him patiently. He was drafted into Napoleon’s army, missed his unit, and lived for a time as a deserter in hiding before an amnesty. In the seminary he nearly failed his examinations. He was ordained in 1815, largely because his superiors saw how devout he was.
The Curé of Ars
In 1818 he was sent to Ars, a village of a few hundred people where faith had grown cold. He prayed for hours before the tabernacle, fasted, visited every family, and preached simply and directly. He founded a home for orphan girls, called La Providence.
Slowly the village changed. Taverns closed, and families returned to Sunday Mass.
Sixteen Hours in the Confessional
Word spread about the humble priest who seemed to read souls. Pilgrims came from all over France, tens of thousands each year. In his later years he spent most of the day in the confessional, often beginning in the early hours of the morning.
Several times he tried to leave Ars to live as a monk, but each time he returned to his people.
His Sayings
He spoke simply. He said that the priesthood is the love of the Heart of Jesus. He told his people that prayer is the inner union of the soul with God, and that a good Christian is like a fish in water when praying.
He died on August 4, 1859, and was canonized in 1925.
A Prayer for Priests (Original Prayer)
St. John Vianney, you gave your life to God’s people. Pray for our priests, especially my own pastor. Give them patience in the confessional, joy at the altar and love for every soul. Amen.
Continue Reading
Read about St. Alphonsus Liguori, another great confessor, St. Joseph, or St. John Bosco.
Frequently asked questions
When is the feast of St. John Vianney?
August 4.
What is St. John Vianney the patron saint of?
He is the patron saint of parish priests. Pope Pius XI named him so in 1929.
Is his body incorrupt?
His body lies in a glass reliquary in the basilica at Ars. It was found well preserved when exhumed, though the face is covered with a wax mask.
Sources
- Abbé Francis Trochu, The Curé d'Ars (1927)
- Pope St. John XXIII, Encyclical Sacerdotii Nostri Primordia (1959)
- Pope Benedict XVI, Letter Proclaiming a Year for Priests (June 16, 2009)
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