Hello everyone.  I hope you are well and keeping safe.  Did you hear the thunder and rain as well as witness the lightening last night?  I always find the best place to be in a storm is in bed listening (and praying!).  

Today we celebrate the feast of St. Jean Vianney.  I am sure that many of you know all about him and his great story.  Born in a little town in France, he was a young boy during the French Revolution.  He witnessed priests putting their lives on the line by secretly serving God’s people during the crazy phase of the Revolution called the "Reign of Terror" when it was illegal to be a Catholic.  Deciding to become a priest, different time periods of the revolution interrupted his seminary studies.  

Napoleon Bonaparte insisted that seminary students join the army in 1809.  Jean escaped into the hills and waited until it was safe to return to studies.  In 1815 he became a priest, his life-long dream.  Three years later he was appointed pastor of the parish in Ars.  He spent much time in catechesis and evangelization as many people had fallen away from the practice of the faith because of the French revolution.  He was especially upset about dancing and forbade his parishioners to do so!  

He spent 11 to twelve hours each day working to reconcile people with God. In the summer months, he often worked 16-hour days and refused to retire. His fame spread until people began to travel to him in 1827. Within thirty years, it is said he received up to 20,000 pilgrims each year.  He is known today as the patron saint of parish priests.  Through his intercession, I pray for all parish priests(including myself!)  to imitate his undying love for God and God’s holy people and to be the best confessors they can be.    Here is short prayer of Jean Vianney.  Enjoy the day!