Do you ever wonder, did the saints do anything else but try to set a good example, pray or haul folks off to confession? Many mystics and saints had more than one creative talent. They liked to write, or draw, carve statues and decorate churches. Vianney had a passion for making the poor parish church of Ars into an awesome spectacle of what he thought a church should be, and set about to do that on a grand scale according to the dictates of his day. So yes, it appeared that Vianney was a shopper, not for himself, but always on the lookout for purchases he deemed worthy of God's holy house. Vianney was uconcerned about his personal appearance wearing a shabby cassock, his face pale and drawn, and in later years his teeth falling out due to a diet of potatoes and frugal fare. He never minded when people commented on his poor frock, even offering to buy him a new one. It was only when they called him dirty that he became withdrawn and sullen. Vianney knew old can be good as new, but sometimes, not nearly as bright.
Another of Vianney's talents was his sermons which his own sister, upon hearing one of his earlier sermons felt he presented a weak front, not doing a good job. Vianney worked hard to improve this part of his ministry laboring long and hard into the nights by the failing flame of a flickering candle. Standing at his desk he tried to perfect his words bringing those he was responsible for closer to God. It's been said that if Vianney hadn't labored in this way his sermons wouldn't have peaked in power, as everything academic including his writing did not come easily for Jean Vianney. His work, all of it, was a true labor of love for God.
And Vianney's work and his sacifices did indeed invoke the favor of God towards this humble servant. Some people called Vianney's powers psychic, telling people their sins even before they got in the confessional. But there are other saints who had the same gifts, probably given by God to help in their work. Whether he could read people's minds or not, Vianney used what he had for good purpose. He told people that if they came to Ars looking for a miracle they'd be disappointed, wanting them to come to Ars to find God. It's true that people received graces and healing through the prayers and intercession of St. John Vianney. Embarrassed by the attention he attributed healings to the workings of his friend St. Philomena, the parish saint, whose statue stood on the side altar in the church in Ars.
