Saint John Vianney, Patron of Priests (1786-1859)
First Saturday of the Month
Readings of the Day
RB: Ch 53:1-15 The Reception of Guests
Mass: Jr 26:11-16, 34; Resp Ps 69; Mt 14:1-12
Saint John Vianney
Curé d'Ars
Statue by Emilien Cabuchet
Statue by Emilien Cabuchet
May St John Vianney, model of apostolic zeal, outstanding example of priestly prayer, tireless preacher and catechist, and valiant apostle of the confessional, intercede for all priests. As exemplar of hospitality, may St John Vianney intercede for all of us called to welcome all guests as Christ and show proper honor to all, especially poor people and pilgrims (RB 53:1-2, 15).
From Pope John XXIII, Encyclical Letter Sacerdotii Nostri Primordia on the One-Hundredth Anniversary of the Death of St Jean Marie Vianney.
[John Vianney] was rich to others, but most poor to himself. He passed through life completely detached from the changing and perishable goods of this world. His soul, completely free from and unattached to such impediments, was fully receptive to those in all kinds of trouble who came in great throngs from everywhere to seek comfort in him. 'My secret,' he would say, 'is very easy to grasp. For it is summed up in these few words: to give everything and to keep nothing for oneself.' The effect from this abstinence from external possessions was that he gave constant and most kind care to the poor, especially to the poor of his own parish. He treated them most kindly and he dealt with them 'with sincere charity, with the greatest kindness, and even with reverence.' He warned that the poor should never be despised, since the contempt shown to them was actually manifested to God Himself. When beggars knocked at his door, he used to receive them affectionately, and he greatly rejoiced that he was able to say to them: 'I myself live in want. I am one of you.' And toward the end of his life he liked to repeat: 'Now I can go forth happy. I possess nothing any more. And now, when it shall please the good God to call me, I shall go ready and prepared.'
BLESSED IS THE SERVANT WHOM THE LORD FINDS WATCHING WHEN HE COMES. AMEN, I SAY TO YOU: HE WILL PUT THAT SERVANT IN CHARGE OF ALL HIS PROPERTY.
(Communion Antiphon, Mass)
[John Vianney] was rich to others, but most poor to himself. He passed through life completely detached from the changing and perishable goods of this world. His soul, completely free from and unattached to such impediments, was fully receptive to those in all kinds of trouble who came in great throngs from everywhere to seek comfort in him. 'My secret,' he would say, 'is very easy to grasp. For it is summed up in these few words: to give everything and to keep nothing for oneself.' The effect from this abstinence from external possessions was that he gave constant and most kind care to the poor, especially to the poor of his own parish. He treated them most kindly and he dealt with them 'with sincere charity, with the greatest kindness, and even with reverence.' He warned that the poor should never be despised, since the contempt shown to them was actually manifested to God Himself. When beggars knocked at his door, he used to receive them affectionately, and he greatly rejoiced that he was able to say to them: 'I myself live in want. I am one of you.' And toward the end of his life he liked to repeat: 'Now I can go forth happy. I possess nothing any more. And now, when it shall please the good God to call me, I shall go ready and prepared.'
BLESSED IS THE SERVANT WHOM THE LORD FINDS WATCHING WHEN HE COMES. AMEN, I SAY TO YOU: HE WILL PUT THAT SERVANT IN CHARGE OF ALL HIS PROPERTY.
(Communion Antiphon, Mass)
No comments:
Post a Comment