05 - Life of Blessed John B. Marie Vianney, Curé of Ars by Anonymous

Discover the extraordinary life of Jean-Baptiste-Marie Vianney, commonly known as St John Vianney, a French parish priest who is celebrated in the Catholic Church as a saint and the patron saint of all priests. Known fondly as the Curé dArs, his parish work led to a profound spiritual transformation in his community, making him an internationally recognized figure. His saintly life, dedicated ministry, and ardent devotion to the Blessed Virgin Mary and to Saint Philomena were all instrumental in this transformation. This brief biography, written before his canonization in 1925, offers a stirring glimpse into the life of this much-loved saint. (Summary Adapted from Wikipedia)

Episode Transcript

Speaker 1 (00:00):
Chapter four, The Life of Blessed John B. Marie Vigni cuireeerra.
This is a Liberal Fox. According all Liberal Fox accordings
are in the public domain. For more information, Auto Volunteer,
please visit Libera Fox Doddle. According by Simon Braud, the
Life of Blessed John B. Marie vinis curee ra by

(00:22):
anonymous chapter four. Pilgrimages to R not only to the villagers,
but in greater degree to the pilgrims who journey to
are Vot Devignie's departure would have been particularly disappointing. As
early as the period between eighteen twenty five and eighteen thirty,
these remarkable pilgrimages had taken place. So great was the

(00:43):
multitude of people who kept coming that increased traveling accommodations
had to be arranged between R and outlying country places.
Billings arrived from every province of France. Others came from
Belgium and England, some from America. At R one day,
bishops and cardinals, prefects of state, university, professors, rich merchants, bankers,

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men and women of ancient and noble lineage side by
side within a numeraal army of priests and religious As yet,
newspapers had not published any account of the wonderous accomplice.
There only by word of mouth was the fame of
the cury made known. And this unending possession of pilgrims
was merely the result of the personal experience of those

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who had already come under Va de Vienneer's influence. With
ever increasing wonder new arrivals observed the great power which
shut humble priests exercised over souls. Every day in the
eye of the church, two rows of men, numbering from
sixty to one hundred awaited their turn to go to
the confession in the little se Christi. If the question

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were put as to how long they had been waiting there,
the answer sometimes was since two o'clock in the morning,
or since midnight. As soon as the curate had opened
the church, the stranger would learn with astonishment that men
from the highest walks of life had frequently waited patiently
all day at night, not in order to assist at
some great ceremony, but to submit themselves humbly to the

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guidance of the cure. In the mirror of the welfare
of the souls, the church was equally quarreled elsewhere, and
was no usual thing to find two hundred women or
more awaiting their turn to confess their sins. The spectacle
of those men and women absorbed in prayer continued from
hour to hour and from day to day. As a rule,

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Father Viennier, he had confessions daily for sixteen and even
eighteen hours, and this almost superhuman practice had continued for
a period of thirty years. At seven or eight o'clock
in the morning, the cures at Marsen gave holy Communion.
After Mass, he blessed the article's devotion presented to him
at the alt rail as the world. To little children

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that were brought to him. At eleven o'clock he threw
more moved through the crowded wings of those present, and
descending the pulpit, lived the plain but impressive sermon on
the truth of Holy faith. He who formerly could preach
his sermon only in the greatest difficulty, now manifested an
impetuable calm and assurance. While the Divine grace so noticeably

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inspired his addresses that, in many cases a calling to
the evidence of the different pilgrims themselves. It so happens
that his words touched the very ones who up to
that time had remained in that since, and his affecting
appeal to them to consider the awful state their souls
moved the last obstacle to the reconciling themselves to God

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at first. Indeed, Vada Viennier was greatly distressed when circumstances
necessitated his preaching without special preparation. Yet as in this
he only saw the will of God, he abandoned himself
with complete resignation to the divine plans, and thus became,
although he had no suspicion of it, himself, most eloquent apostle.

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In his sermons, he was accustomed to recall the scenes
of his early life as a farmer land, and he
employed the analogies and arguments drawn from exterial nature. And
according to his own statements, it was evident that there
was nothing invisible the world that had not reminded him
of God and of eternity. Besides the expressive comparisons, while

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the Vienna's sermons frequently described incidents drawn from his personal experience. Thus,
one day, speaking of lukewarm Christians, he said, you there
behold a tapid soul, which, for the most paltry excuse
starts to gossip while praying. Does this soul really offer
to God to day's work? Does it return to him
thanks and glorify him without doubt? The lips will speak

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the words, but for the most part no thought is
given to what is said. The soul never seizes the
busy itself with things that are only of this world. Again,
said he, we notice a man in church turning his
head round and round in his hand with observing her home.
A woman who set grace for cutting bread for the children,
orle putting wood on the fire. All she interrupts the

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praise to call the help. As a man of the people,
Vard Viennier knew that in order to hold her intention,
nothing was so serviceable as to give them a faithful
portrayal of everyday life. In its discourses, he always referred
to the fundamental truths of faith, a place vividly before
his auditors for their consideration. The four last things. Ever,

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a anon, he would return to the necessity of men's
loving God, that this love ought to be as natural
to men a song was to the bird. It was
impossible for him to preach without referring to the unspeakable
joys which arise in the soul of man to a
self sacrificing love of God. As soon as the sermons
was at an end, the people hastened to the village green,

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where the Good Curve was accustomed to pass on the
way to the province and to his home, the laying
on the way to give advice and consolation those who
apply to him. Every one called him Father, the title
readily admitted by all who observed his kindly manner and
still kinder speech. Father Viennie moved slowly through the surging frong,

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and although he was gentle as itself, yet mbushed and
obtrusive persons were now and again brought to reason by
a quiet, though firm answer. Many an a genious supply
had been recalled of the Good Cire. A young girl
whom from spiritual laziness had submitted the question of her
vocation to good cure, asked him in a loud tone, Father,

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what is my vocation to be, to which he replied,
my child, your vocation is to get to heaven. At
a glance, Father Viennie could recognize innostant souls. It was
often observed how he would say something to certain individuals.
Dear child, just go home, you have no need of me.
He at sixteen to eighteen hours daily. He hardly sudvised

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to allow him to attack to the distressed souls who
knelt in his confessional, since for these above all God
had sent the cury of our here we arrived naturally
at the important subject of the conversion. Took places that
are Time and again the noble priests would say, let
us pray for the conversion of sinners. Declare a prayer

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for this purpose was one of the most pleasing that
could be offered to the Good God without cessation. He
himself prayed with his intention and took upon himself all
kinds of mortification. His petitions ascended to the throne of God, who,
during the thirty years of the Curiag's life are was
pleased to send innumerable sinners who are to be reconciled.

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Many of these sang to his feet, already prepared for
that he they had heard from orders that it was
sweet and easy to confess. One sends to the samely priests,
and under his guidance, the repent of them with their
whole heart. On one occasion, a dry knocking loudly at
the door of the curious house at midnight and asked
that his confession be heard at once. Without hesitation, Arda

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Viennier arose and went with him into the church. After
he had reconciled him to God, Viarnier embraced him coldly
and gave him some warm clothing, as he noticed the
man was suffering from the court with many sinners, the
working of grace were decidedly slower. Some had come to
our out of curiosity, others to unmask the cuate, as

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they thought to do, and make to make merry of
the colorble crowd, as the Gilvicans were called. But after
closely observing the holy priest for one or two days,
they lost all desire to compare him to a town crier,
and was not long before they joined the crowd waiting
for confession. But still another classic required a direct call

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of grace. Like Saint Vincent Ferreer, Father Viennier had received
from God the gift of being able to read clearly
into the conscious of a sinner. Hence, almost every day
it happened that one would see him come suddenly out
of sacristi and advanced straight towards the person who had
only just entered the church. With a kind and earnest look,
he would lead him at once to the confessional. Many

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saut penitents acknowledged lays that pard Vienne, without more ado
would mention their sins to hunt them beforehand, reminding them
especially of those shameful matters in the past lives which
they might have been tempted to conceal. Thereby, he not
infrequently removed the last obstacle to the complete reconciliation with God.

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Among others, the following incident is well tested. Certain men
to two years of age went, who are in company
with a friend, intaining the ridicule of Oda Vianni. The
man had with him his hunting dog, having planned to
enjoy the pleasures of the chase in naming fields. The
very moment when the curee was passing through across the
village square and through the kneading multitudes, two friends appeared

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on the scene. Presently Vod found himself face to face
with the curious sportsman, pushing through the crowd. After a
hasty glance at the dog running at his side, the cuire,
without further ceremony, said to its owner Sir, it were
to be desired that your Saul as beautifu as your arnt.
The man Shane facedly lowered his head, and shortly after,

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moved by the vine, Grace made his confession with copious tears,
and that same year had doubled the life of a
religious in which he persevered until death. Upon another occasion,
among the curious spectators in the churches are was a
highly educated freethinker, a mocker at religion, what a Voltaire stand.

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To please his wife, he had accompanied her to h
in order, as he expressed it, to have a look
at the old buffoon with the square hahol air his
a fat crowd praying devoutly in the little church. Suddenly
the cure stepped out of the confessional, advanced towards new arrival,
and with an imposing movement of the hand, acquested him
to go into this Christie. Astonished and confused, the unbeliever

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followed the priest, where Valda Viennier sought to bring him
to his knees. Lad declared that he had no idea
of going to confession, and that he did not believe
in it. Valdaviennier looked him squarely in the eyes, and
in that piercing glance. The free fingers sank upon his
news telling. Vadaviennier described to him his past life with

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surprising accuracy, and drew from him the admission that all
he had told him was true. The light of faith
was forfaith rekindled in the soul of the sinner, who
strongly affected cried out with violent sobs, My God, I believe,
I adore THEE, I love THEE, and beg THEE of forgiveness.
Vardaviennier dismissed him with the words, dear friend, hought yourself

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befared the good God will call you to himself very soon,
and so it was. Two years later a stroke of
epilepsy brought his sudden end to the comfort's life. Besides
reconcilings is with God indepthatica, Balkiure was frequently engaged in
important work of directing souls to the acknowledge and attainment
of their vocation, and in giving all the counsel of

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valuable and the spiritual life. Signac's advice death flocked to
ours from all parts, Bishops and pastors, leaders of religious communities,
fathers and mothers of families, young men and young girls
in great numbers, all eager to obtain the advice of
the good priest. The latter gave his decisions promptly, for

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he never allowed himself to forget that sinners were waiting
for him at a confessional. Many who thus apply or
declared that Father of Yna, rather listening to the first
few words, was able to give his advice upon the
matter at issue with the ruolish intelligence. Upon one occasion,
a pass in the Diocese of Arthen presented to the
Cure for its opinion a very difficult case in morphology

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involving a question of restitution. We received from it such
a prompt answer, removing all doubt that astoundedly asked the
Cure where he had studied his theology, with motion of
the hand, which conveyed an advice rather than an answer,
while the vienna pointed a side to his pre dieu.
We have referred to a great number of persons who

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applied to the Cure for advance concerning the rigious vocation.
But it would be a mistake to suppose the Curee
advised young persons indiscriminately to embrace the priesthood or a
monastic life. Such was not the case. On the contrary,
the cure dissuaded many from entering the cloister, but though
the parties themselves would strongly attracted to it. In this respect,

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the story of miss A dot C is instructive that
lady wished to enter a convent. Her father, with large
property interests in the south of France, wanted her to
marry young man who would become his successor. They agreed
to ask whether Viennier's advice and to follow it. There
was in the year eighteen fifty eight, a few months

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before the death of the blessed Cure. Father Viennier listened
with his accustomed kindness to the young girl's recital, reflected
the moment, and then exclaimed to the surprised young lady,
my dear Charles, you ought to marry. When she referred
to her desire went through a convent, the courie interrupted
her and said again, get married, and proved to all

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that you had piety is genuine. Monsieur obeyed, and as
the wife of the young man would ask her hand,
was very happy. At another time, a pastor came to
him saying that he desired to come Dominican. Father Viennier exclaimed, no,
my friend desires and found it stay where you are
pastor rejested as a fright which he could be more successful.

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Blessed Curry applied immediately where you are placed. There is
always more to do, making him really accomplish more than
once a results shows how imprudent it was to disaccord
the counsels of the enlightened man and certain Philippe p
Froont com Blanc came to Ark on September the eighth,
eighteen fifty four, the east of the Nativity of the

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Blessed Virgin. His father Viennie was passing through the throng,
which on that day was very great. He noticed the
young man and walked straight towards him. Phili made known
to him forthwith the desire of entering a Trappist monastery.
Be well, dear friend, said father Viennie. Carry out your intention,
and God will blease you. When Philey returned home, he

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felt so faint hearted at the thought of entering an
order of such strict observance that he postponed for two
years the plans of adopting a monastic life. At last,
in eighteen fifty six, as the cause of the life
of the religious dominated him. He entered the community of
the Christian Brothers, but this did not bring him the
happiness which he anticipates. He made in this congregation for

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six years, ott while in a state of undress and discontent.
The more he reflected upon the condiious condition, the more
vividly he there stood before his spiritual gazed the image
of the Cury of our who meanwhile had died, and
he recalled the advice he had received but had not followed.
After a half struggle with his own stubborn nature, Philippe

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sought release from the community which he was attached, and
asked to permitted to enter a Trappist's monastery which had
recently been found in the archdiocese. This was a calling arranged.
From that day, all unrest vanished, and the Trappist monk
found peace and contentment in the life to which he
had been advised by the quire of h end of
Chapter four, Pilgrimages to Ar recording by Sioum Vau