St John-Baptist Vianney.
1786-1859 ~ Born in France at Dardilly, John was a shepherd-boy on his father’s farm. He had always longed to become a priest when he grew up and at the age of twenty, he went to Ecully to study. He had great problems with his education particularly with Latin and found it extremely difficult. For a year, he had to break off his studies and lay low to avoid military service. On returning to re-commence his studies, he still found the learning extremely hard, but being so keen, he eventually was ordained – more for his devoutness than for his intellect and qualifications.
His first assignment was as a parish priest in Ars-en-Dombes in a neglected parish and as he was so loyal, he stayed there for the next forty-two years. John was totally committed to his parishioners and the parish and he was a fine preacher and popular confessor. This aroused the people’s imagination and bizarre tales were told of this isolated church that it became a site for pilgrims.
John became a religious cult- figure in France and thousands of people visited from all corners of the country and also from aboard. He became admired as a confessor thus making him spend all day in the confessional. Some of his fellow priests may have been a bit jealous of his status and his over-zealous approach, that they made him out to be insane or a fake. The bishop soon put a stop to these rumours, saying he wished all his priests were as enthusiastic.
John was hugely overworked and the constant stream of pilgrims as well as his official duties, made endless demands on his energies. These all took a toll on his health. He tried to retire to a monastery, but was coaxed back time and time again as a result he died while still employed in his parish.
He became the patron saint of parish priests.