Saint of the Week: St. John Vianney, Curé d’Ars | d. 1859 | Feast: August 4th
“The word of God must of necessity bear within us either good or bad fruit. The fruit will be good if we are well prepared to receive it, namely, by a real desire to profit by it and to do everything that it prescribes. It will be bad if we hear it with indifference, or perhaps with distaste and disesteem. This sacred world will enlighten us and show us how to fulfill our duties, or it will blind us and make us stiff-necked.”This pith of wisdom from Curé d’Ars is a reminder that despite our often strong illusions otherwise, we cannot bring forth the fruit of the Word entirely of our own accord.
But through prayer, and by openness to God’s word, we gain access, insight, and wisdom from that world which exceeds ours. It is this wisdom, this love, this compassion, that flows from God to us and waters our souls.
What do you do to cultivate fruitful prayer? How have you grown over the course of life in prayer? Have you changed the way you pray since you were younger? And also, what fruits do you see in your everyday life as a result of your dedication to prayer?
Creator Mundi offers several gifts to celebrate the life of St. John Vianney. Priests especially find solace in this great saint, so if you are looking to show your gratitude to your pastor, who selflessly gives so much of himself, look into our St. John Vianney pieces: a handcrafted dolomite statue from France and a solid bronze plaque made in Germany.
St. John Vianney: A Pillar of Faith
St. John Vianney’s inspiration reaches us strongly in today’s day and age because of the similarities between his world and ours. He was raised during the French Revolution, when Catholicism was forced into the shadows.
St. John Vianney had to attend Mass in secret, and he saw the priests carrying out their duties at great personal risk. He was a great confessor, often spending 12 hours a day hearing confessions. It is this level of care to his flock that makes him, to this day, a source of much inspiration and joy to those who are in formation. It can be hard to conceptualize the life of someone involved in the pastoral mission, but your pastor or priest will always be grateful for whatever thanks you can give, as a sign that you are aware of the hard work and profound responsibility of the calling.
St. John Vianney is held up to all as a great example of the pastoral aspect of the priesthood because of his unflagging dedication to his parish and the wellbeing of his flock.