St. John Vianney, the Curé of Ars and patron saint of priests, is well known as a confessor who could see into peoples’ souls and who took great penances upon himself for the conversion of sinners. Less known, though, is his wisdom. St. John Vianney may have had difficulties learning Latin and passing his seminary exams, but he preached beautiful spiritual insights such as these:
“To approach God you should go straight to Him, like a bullet from a gun.”
“Prayer is the conversation of a child with his Father. Of a subject with his King. Of a servant with his Lord. Of a friend with the Friend to whom he confides all his troubles and difficulties.”
“A pure soul is with God, as a child with its mother. The child caresses and embraces her, and its mother returns all its endearments.”
“God commands you to pray, but He forbids you to worry.”
“You must accept your cross. If you bear it courageously it will carry you to heaven.”
However, “Our Lord takes pleasure in doing the will of those who love him.”
“Just as a mother holds her child in her hands to cover it with kisses, so does God hold the devout person.”
“Here is a rule for everyday life: Do not do anything which you cannot offer to God.”
And as we approach the Eucharist, let us recall this final thought: “To content his love, God must give Himself to us separately, one by one.”
(Originally published August 4, 2010;
edited & republished August 4, 2015)
Parishable Items 
August 8, 2010 at 4:37 pm |
St. John Vianney, he’s my hero!!!!!