The life of Blessed St. John Marie Vianney E-Book

anonymous

• Herausgeber: Cervantes Digital
• Kategorie: Religion und Spiritualität
• Sprache: Englisch
• Veröffentlichungsjahr: 2024

Beschreibung

Step into the extraordinary life of Blessed St. John Marie Vianney through this captivating biography that illuminates his remarkable journey from humble beginnings to becoming the beloved patron saint of parish priests. Discover the inspiring story of a man whose unwavering faith, boundless compassion, and tireless dedication transformed the lives of countless individuals and continues to inspire hearts across generations. Join us as we delve into the timeless wisdom, profound miracles, and enduring legacy of this saintly figure, whose life serves as a beacon of hope and spiritual guidance for all who seek to walk the path of righteousness and holiness.

Leseprobe

Copyright 2024

Cervantes Digital

All rights reserved

TABLE OF CONTENTS

PREFACE

INTRODUCTION

CHAPTER I. CHILDHOOD AND YOUTH OF THE SAINTLY CURÉ.

CHAPTER II. THE GOOD PASTOR.

CHAPTER III. THE "HOUSE OF PROVIDENCE" AND THE TRIBULATIONS.

CHAPTER IV. PILGRIMAGES TO ARS.

CHAPTER V. MIRACLES WROUGHT BY THE CURÉ OF ARS.

CHAPTER VI. THE INTERIOR LIFE OF THE BLESSED CURÉ.

CHAPTER VII. DEATH AND BEATIFICATION OF THE BLESSED CURÉ.

LITANY AND PRAYER IN HONOR OF Blessed John B. Marie Vianney. CURÉ OF ARS.

NOVENA IN HONOR OF BLESSED JOHN BAPTIST VIANNEY.

THE LIFE

OF THE

BLESSED JOHN B. MARIE VIANNEY

CURÉ OF ARS.

WITH A

NOVENA AND LITANY

TO THIS ZEALOUS WORKER IN THE VINEYARD OF THE LORD

Nihil obstat:

THOMAS B. COTTER, Ph.D.,        Censor.

Imprimatur

JOHN M. FARLEY,       Archbishop of New York.

October 22, 1910.

PREFACE

Spiritual reading has always been encouraged by our Holy Mother Church, because it strengthens our faith and stimulates us to be more devout in the practice of our religion. The materialistic tone and trend of most modern literature, however, makes the reading and dissemination of Catholic books all the more urgent and necessary at the present time.

The mind is moulded largely by reading and good minds were never more needed than to-day, to combat the effects of the mental poison, which is daily absorbed by young and old through the medium of degrading literature. True, there are issued good books and periodicals which are not strictly religious in tone, but which, nevertheless, have a salutary influence upon the reader's mind. Their number, however, is comparatively small.

Good spiritual reading should not be made merely an infrequent departure from the reading of every day literature, but should be indulged in regularly and systematically by the Catholic laity in general.

Good books play an important part in fostering the early evidences of vocation. The youth, under their influence, voluntarily moves nearer to the goal of his aspirations, unforced by the caprice of the thoughtless or over-enthusiastic parents. Numerous little incidents are associated with the life of Blessed Jean Baptist Vianney, which will help to develop the germ of sacerdotal vocation.

The young seminarian will find Vianney's life to be a genuine exhortation which will operate to fortify him in the face of trials and temptation.

The priest himself, who aims to acquire all the graces which may bless the priesthood, may justly take pleasure in imitating the virtues, zeal, piety and charity of the humble curé of Ars.

The little volume describes in simple language the life of a man, who, in our own time, earned by his holiness, acts of self-sacrifice, self- abnegation and miracles, wrought through the intervention of God, the blessings of beatification.

Vianney's life may be read with profit by everyone. The descriptions of his toils and sufferings in behalf of his fellow-men, and his efforts to save souls, cannot fail to inspire the reader with uplifting thoughts.

ALBERT A. LINGS.

INTRODUCTION

ON January 8, 1905, John Baptist Marie Vianney, that most humble of country curates, was admitted by our Holy Father, Pope Pius X, into the glorious ranks of the beatified of the Catholic Church. And in very truth that devoted guardian of souls had well merited the exalted distinction thus conferred; for, during the forty-two years of his holy life, countless thousands had come under the influence of his active and untiring zeal, and were guided by him in the way of their salvation.

The fame of the gentle "Curé of Ars" has long since passed the boundaries of his native land, and the fact that his name has been officially promulgated for veneration is sufficient reason for presenting this noble personality to the attention of the Catholics of English speaking countries. We do this with the greater pleasure, since in thus seeking to promote the honor of the blessed curé we are at one with our Holy Father, who constantly keeps his statue before him upon his desk in the Vatican palace.

Thereby Pius X, himself, manifests his high regard for the blessed one and confirms the words pronounced shortly before the beatification of the former humble curé. Upon that occasion the Holy Father said: "We can hardly give befitting expression to the joy of our soul whilst we make public the solemn decree which affirms the validity of the miracles worked by God through the intercession of the venerable John Baptist Vianney. For our part, during the many years that we have exercised the pastoral office with affectionate solicitude, nothing more agreeable has taken place, or could occur, than to behold this venerable curé elevated to the number of the blessed in the Catholic Church."

Vianney was a truly apostolic guardian of souls. And because he lived so near our own time, the history of his life-work becomes all the more valuable and interesting. The present sketch, designed only as an outline, is necessarily brief and gives but a meagre description of the virtues, the mortifications, the zeal and the ceaseless activities of the blessed curé. Those desiring a more extended history of the life of this great man are referred to the work of the Abbé Alfred Monnin, his friend and fellow laborer. [*]

Brief and unassuming, however, as this present narration may be, we put it forth in the hope that it may contribute, in some degree, to make known the merits of this distinguished servant of God, and in order that those who read it may be prompted to follow the counsels and imitate the example of his saintly life.



[*] Life of the Curé d'Ars, Burns & Oates, London. For sale by Joseph Schaefer, 9 Barclay St., New York City.

CHAPTER I. CHILDHOOD AND YOUTH OF THE SAINTLY CURÉ.

JEAN Baptist Marie Vianney, afterwards to become famous as the curé of Ars, was born May 8th, 1786, at Dardilly, in the South of France, not far from the City of Lyons, and was the fourth child of humble country folks.

His father, Mathieu Vianney, and his mother, Marie Beluse, possessed some land adjoining their simple dwelling. Despite the fact that they were not rich they practiced the greatest hospitality toward the poor and needy. With joyful wonder the youthful Jean beheld, evening after evening, a number of poor and needy wayfarers entertained at the family meal. Not infrequently the elder Vianney would bestow his own share upon some belated arrival. This noble example made a profound impression upon the boy's pious disposition. Of his own accord he would go out to greet the needy travelers, opening the door for them and otherwise assisting them, and would even carry their torn garments to his mother, in order that she might mend them. By other kindly service he showed his sympathy with the poor and distressed who made their way to his father's house.

Jean had inbibed a love of piety with his mother's milk. The names of Jesus and Mary were the very first words to pass his baby lips. The first movement of his little hands, taught him by his mother, was to make the sign of the cross. Even as a child of four or five years Jean would retire to a place of solitude where, as the record says, "he spoke with the angel guardian."

As he grew up he occupied himself with the work of the farm, minding the cattle and doing other humble work. When in after years his name was mentioned with pious admiration by numberless Christians, Father Vianney was wont to recall his early years, saying: "How happy was I, when I only had to care for my three sheep and my donkey. Then indeed I could pray to God according to my heart's desire."

Just as the boy arrived at the age of reason the churches of France, in consequence of the outbreak of the Revolution, were closed, and the priests banished. This was a severe trial for so devout a child, for at that early age he was sensible of the high importance of the Apostolic teaching, and in his eagerness to promote the love of God he gathered the village children about him and preached impressive sermons to them in his simple but earnest way.