Life of the Cure of ars

Born May 8, 1786 in Dardilly, near Lyon, in a family of farmers, Jean-Marie Vianney started preparing his priesthood when he was 20 with Father Balley, priest of Ecully. He was ordained in 1815 and became Curate in Ecully. He was then sent to Ars in 1818. As soon as he arrived, he made the church his home.

Night and day, there he was, in front of the tabernacle, praying the Lord for his parishioners’conversion. Little by little, he revived their faith through his sermons but above all through his prayers and his lifestyle. He restored and embellished his church, formed an orphanage : « La Providence » and took care of the poor.

Very quickly, his reputation as a confessor drew to him many pilgrims seeking the pardon of God and the peace of heart. Assailed by many fights and ordeals he kept his heart rooted in the love of God and his brothers ; his only concern was the salvation of the souls. His catechisms and his homelies mainly dealt with the goodness and mercy of God.

This priest burning with love before the Blessed Sacrament, entirely devoted to God, to his parishioners and to the pilgrims, died August 4,1859, after having reached the limite of Love. He was canonized by Pope Pius XI in 1925 (together with Theresa of Jesus Child) he was then proclaimed patron saint of all the priests in the World in 1929.