by Sheila M. Coyle May 1, 2000
In my previous article on St. Philomena I mentioned the Cure d'Ars devotion to Philomena, and as one saint seems to lead to another she has directed us to a brief history of his life and sanctity.
Where did I first learn of the Cure d'Ars?
Well, I can't really remember except for Sister Mary Francis mentioning his name in religion class, or hearing of him in an occasional Sunday sermon. All I really knew was that St. John Vianney lived in France during the Revolution, and became the patron saint of parish priests. What I didn't know was that his example of sanctity saved souls in his parish of Ars, converting the people, and attracting visitors from all of France and far away.
Even before arriving in the Lyons region of Ars, Jean Marie Vianney had many challenges, which upon reflection could have been part of the Divine Plan preparing him for the hard work of influencing lives for good, eventually bringing them to God. And yes, it's hard work because the saint must continually put the things of God and grace first, foregoing personal plans and keeping an eye aimed towards heaven and the everlasting.
Jean Marie Vianney was used to work and things not going right. Born to peasant farming parents in the village of Dardilly on May 8, 1786, he had great difficulty learning in seminary and was often humiliated by students far younger, with more knowledge and a greater capacity for learning. However, he accepted this cross as coming from God, and Vianney was grateful for whatever help he received with his studies, always trying to please his teachers. Eventually he was allowed to be ordained only because at that time priests were badly needed. So, the chaotic times with social upheavals and revolts actually benefited Vianney when the directives of man had tried to do otherwise.
And this is one of the things that is so interesting in the lives of the saints, is the Providence of God, working, always on their behalf. The times, circumstances, and even obstacles to learning cannot stop the hand of God from raising up a saint, if that is the plan.
Did Jean Vianney see that plan? It's probably doubtful since mostly every saint thinks they are grave sinners, full of anxiety for their own salvation. But it's certain that Vianney, if unaware he was a saint or would one day be one, was aware of his limitations although never doubting the sincerity and help of the One he served.
