Reminder: The Novena to St. John Vianney For Priests Begins Tomorrow

Besides Jesus, there may be no better model for priests than St. John Vianney, who is the patron of parish priests. Only a handful of parish priests have been canonized. Most are religious priests, missionaries, bishops, cardinals and popes. Vianney lived from 1786 to 1859. For forty-one years, he was the Cure (pastor) of the French town of Ars.

The Curé d'Ars is known for his prayerfulness and piety. People would travel for miles to attend his Masses, hear him preach and go to confession. As a result, the small town of Ars became a center of virtue and faithfulness.

The Novena to St. John Vianney begins Thursday, August 4th. Consider praying this novena on behalf of the priesthood or for a specific priest. St. John Vianney is known for his intercessory prayers for priests, miracles and other impossible situations.

Almighty and merciful God, who made the priest St. John Vianney wonderful in his pastoral zeal, grant, we pray, that through his intercession and example we may in charity win brothers and sisters for Christ and attain with them eternal glory. Through our Lord Jesus Christ, your Son, who lives and reigns with you in the unity of the Holy Spirit, one God, for ever and ever. Amen.

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