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St. john vianney a good example for priests today

By FATHER ROBERT ZWILLING

When Father John Marie Vianney came to the little French village of Ars in 1818 he met a man on the edge of town who inquired who he was. After learning that he was the new parish priest of Ars, the man told St. John, “There is nothing for you to do here in Ars.” The new Curé of Ars responded, “Then, there is everything to do.” Father Vianny not only did everything that needed to be done in Ars then, he continues to work today. His life and ministry continue to inspire many, including myself, to strive to be good and holy priests. Though he lived 150 years ago in France, he is a good example for parish priests today. His love for God, his commitment to Jesus Christ and his Church, his devotion to the priesthood, and his dedication to his parishioners inspire, encourage and challenge me in my daily ministry at St. Michael and St. Barbara parishes.

St. John Baptiste Marie Vianny was born during the French Revolution (1789-1815) and got to love and assist priests from his youth as his family hid them and aided them. His mother noted that “his heart was in his eyes” as he looked upon and treasured priests that came to their door.

From my youth, my mom and dad always taught me to respect priests and serve the Church. This has not changed today in that even as a priest, I still respect and honor priests and their office in the Church. I treasure the gift of the priesthood that I have received from Christ Jesus and his Church. I love his bride which Jesus has given me spiritually as a spouse. This love and these truths are what guide me and sustain in my day to day living.

St. John loved his neighbor. As a priest, the Curé knew that the salvation of souls was the highest law of Jesus Christ and his Church. When he first came to Ars and saw only four families attend Sunday Mass, he spent lengthy hours in prayer before Jesus in the Blessed Sacrament at night, and during the day he set out serving the needs of all in and around the village of Ars.

Today as a priest, I recognize that there is endless work that I can be doing and that I need to be doing. But I have taken St. John Marie’s example to heart. The first thing he did was pray and fast extensively. I recognize from him that all exterior work will not have focus or will be limited if I do not first bring myself and those I am called to serve before Jesus in prayer.

St. John Marie loved the Holy Sacrifice of the Mass. Interiorly, the Curé prepared himself extensively to celebrate the Mass. Outwardly, when he used no money to fix up his rectory, sacristy, or even to buy a new cassock, he would spare no expense for the church and for the vestments and vessels of the Mass since these were what brought God to his beloved children.

God has given me a great love for the Eucharist, and it is what singularly sustains me in the ministries and challenges of the priesthood and this life. I always take time before I celebrate Mass to recall that I am a servant of Jesus Christ and I am acting in his name at the altar. Like St. John, I turn to the Mass, the Church’s greatest prayer for inspiration to give my best to God and his people in everything I do.

St. John loved confession. Near the end of his life he was hearing confessions up to 16-18 hours a day. It is said that he had the gift of reading souls, being able to help penitents to make a complete confession. He also helped do the penance of those who came to him. He recognized the new life that a soul received that had been to confession. Through the Curé’s example and the example of other priests, I have strived to make confession available before most parish Masses during the week. Going to confession myself to other priests, and myself having the blessing of reconciling people with God, I know the vital importance of the sacrament of reconciliation in people’s lives today. Confession takes a great weight off people; it gives them new purpose; it changes lives; and it heals that which has been tearing at people so long. And having heard confessions myself for up to five hours, I know that it is not only the penitents who are uplifted, but also the priest as well.

St. John was humble. Fellow priests that were jealous of his success with parishioners and getting them to church circulated a petition saying he needed to be removed as a priest because he did not have sufficient knowledge and maturity. A parishioner showed St. John the petition thinking he would be outraged, but without saying a word after reading it the Curé signed his own name to the petition against himself.

From this action of the Curé, I know that by the grace of God go I. If I say, do, or offer anything good, I know that it has been by God’s inspiration and the prayers of his people that has made it happen. I could not plan or accomplish on my own the blessings that the Lord works in or around me. Yet by employing what God has given me through his inspiration, great things happen. I have also learned that I am in God’s hands at every moment of my life, and that gives me peace.

When the bishop sent St. John to serve the parish in Ars, he spoke to him in sober but honest words: “There is not much love in Ars, but you will put it there.” And that is what he did. By the time of Father Vianny’s death, the dilapidated church had been expanded seven times; the taverns were closed; a train line was built connecting Ars to Lyons; and men were praying the rosary as they plowed the field. Thanks to him there was love in Ars. By his quiet example the parish priest of Ars taught his people to love God, to love Christ, to love the Church, love the priesthood, love the sacraments, and, most of all, to love one another and all people.

I hope that by following St. John Vianney’s example I will teach this same timeless love to the people the bishop has sent me to serve in the communities of Radom and Scheller. Happily, there was already a great deal of love here when I arrived. I wish to thank my parishioners for all the good work they do each day and for the fine example of Christian love they set for me. I ask readers of The Messenger to pray for me and all priests of the diocese. May we all imitate the Curé of Ars during this year for priests and every year.

Fr. Zwilling is administrator of St. Michael the Archangel Parish, Radom and St. Barbara Parish, Scheller.