Category:Saint John Vianney

Born: May 8, 1786 in Dardilly, France Died: August 4, 1859 (aged 73) in Ars-sur-Formans, France Honored in: Catholic Church Beatified: January 8, 1905, Rome, Italy by Saint Pius X Canonized: 1925, Rome by Pope Pius XI Major shrine: Shrine of St. John Vianney; Ars-sur-Formans, France Feast: August 4 August 8 (General Roman Calendar, 1928-1969) Patronage: all priests, parish priests; Personal Apostolic Administration of Saint John Mary Vianney; Archdiocese of Dubuque, Iowa; confessors; archdiocese of Kansas City, Kansas

parish priest (born in 1786, died in 1859, Memorial on August 4)
 * John Vianney was born in Dardilly, France on May 8, 1786, to a poor farming family (he had other siblings). As a youth he worked as a shepherd, and did not begin his education until the age of 20. John entered the seminary when he was significantly older than many of the other students, and he had a very difficult time learning Latin. While a seminarian at _________, he was drafted into the Napoleonic army. He had gone into a church to pray, and the army had already left the town. The officers told him to follow after them until he rejoined them. In the course of the journey he stopped to rest and another man offered to lead him on the route. Rather than lead him to the army, the man lead John to a small town where deserters were gathered. The mayor of the town persuaded John to stay, and John remained hidden there until ____________. After reentering the seminary, he was ordained on August 13, 1815 by the Bishop of Grenoble (Mgr. Simon) at ___________. He was assigned as an assistant in Ecully, then as pastor to Ars in 1818. Although there were still a few faithful souls in Ars, it was a poor state of affairs when he arrived. John Vianney fasted greatly, eating a few boiled potatoes. He tried to leave Ars for good several times. He had the ability to read souls. He was frequently tormented by Satan through loud noises and disturbances. He spent about 18 hours a day in the confessional. He was instrumental in promoting devotion to St. Philomena. Eventually, a large number of penitents came to Ars to receive the Sacrament of Reconciliation from him. He died on August 4, 1859 at Ars, was buried (where), was proclaimed Venerable by Pius IX on October 3, 1874, was beatified on January 8, 1905 by Pope _____________, and was canonized on May 31, 1925 by Pope Pius XI. He has been classified as one of the Incorruptibles.