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Saint John Vianney (1786–1859), also known as the Curé of Ars, is the patron saint of parish priests.
Born Jean-Baptiste-Marie Vianney in Dardilly, France, he grew up during the French Revolution and had very little formal education. He struggled greatly with his studies and was almost denied ordination because of his poor academic performance. He was finally ordained a priest in 1815 at age 29.
In 1818, he was assigned to the tiny, remote parish of Ars, France. Through his simple but holy life, constant prayer, and tireless work in the confessional, he transformed the entire village. People began traveling from all over France (and eventually Europe) to confess to him. He often spent 12–18 hours a day hearing confessions. He lived in extreme poverty and practiced severe mortification, while showing great gentleness and love to sinners.
He tried several times to leave Ars for a quieter life as a monk, but the people always brought him back. He died on August 4, 1859. He was canonized by Pope Pius XI in 1925 and declared the Patron Saint of All Priests in 1929. His feast day is August 4.
Saint John Vianney is venerated as the patron saint of:
Parish priests (the universal patron saint of priests)
Confessors and those who hear confessions
Priests in difficult parishes
Vocations to the priesthood
Material: Zinc alloy
Quantity: 1
Size: 25mm × 16mm (0.98" × 0.63")
Hole: 1.5mm (0.05")
He is often depicted in a simple black cassock, looking exhausted but gentle, sometimes with a stole around his neck (symbol of confession) or holding a rosary.
His life remains a powerful example of the holiness and importance of the priesthood, especially the ministry of the confessional.
Saint John Vianney (1786–1859), also known as the Curé of Ars, is the patron saint of parish priests.
Born Jean-Baptiste-Marie Vianney in Dardilly, France, he grew up during the French Revolution and had very little formal education. He struggled greatly with his studies and was almost denied ordination because of his poor academic performance. He was finally ordained a priest in 1815 at age 29.
In 1818, he was assigned to the tiny, remote parish of Ars, France. Through his simple but holy life, constant prayer, and tireless work in the confessional, he transformed the entire village. People began traveling from all over France (and eventually Europe) to confess to him. He often spent 12–18 hours a day hearing confessions. He lived in extreme poverty and practiced severe mortification, while showing great gentleness and love to sinners.
He tried several times to leave Ars for a quieter life as a monk, but the people always brought him back. He died on August 4, 1859. He was canonized by Pope Pius XI in 1925 and declared the Patron Saint of All Priests in 1929. His feast day is August 4.
Saint John Vianney is venerated as the patron saint of:
Parish priests (the universal patron saint of priests)
Confessors and those who hear confessions
Priests in difficult parishes
Vocations to the priesthood
Material: Zinc alloy
Quantity: 1
Size: 25mm × 16mm (0.98" × 0.63")
Hole: 1.5mm (0.05")
He is often depicted in a simple black cassock, looking exhausted but gentle, sometimes with a stole around his neck (symbol of confession) or holding a rosary.
His life remains a powerful example of the holiness and importance of the priesthood, especially the ministry of the confessional.
