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[Image: Portrait of Blessed John Vianney]
Blessed John B. Marie Vianney
CURE OF ARS
THE LIFE OF THE BLESSED JOHN B. MARIE VIANNEY
CURE OF ARS.
With a Novena and Litany to This Zealous Worker
in The Vineyard of the Lord.
Compiled from Approved Sources.
New York:
Joseph Schaefer,
9 Barclay Street.
Nihil obstat:
THOMAS B. COTTER, PH.D.,
Censor.
Imprimatur
JOHN M. FARLEY,
Archbishop of New York.
October 22, 1910.
Copyrighted, 1911, by Joseph Schaefer.
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 cure 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.
CONTENTS.
Introduction
Chapter I.--Childhood and Youth of the Saintly Cure
" II.--The Good Pastor
" III.--The "House of Providence" and the Tribulations
" IV.--Pilgrimage to Ars
" V.--Miracles wrought by the Cure of Ars
" VI.--The Interior Life of the Blessed Cure
" VII.--Death and Beatification of the Blessed Cure
Litany and Prayer in honor of Blessed John B. Marie Vianney
Novena
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 "Cure 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 cure 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 cure. 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 cure 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 cure. Those desiring a more extended history of the
life of this great man are referred to the work of the Abbe 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 Cure d'Ars, Burns & Oates, London. For sale by Joseph
Schaefer, 9 Barclay St., New York City.
CHAPTER I.
CHILDHOOD AND YOUTH OF THE SAINTLY CURE.
JEAN Baptist Marie Vianney, afterwards to become famous as the cure 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.
The young missionary became acquainted in those evil days with many
worthy priests, men who counted the threats and fury of the
revolutionary heroes as nothing, when it was a question of saving
souls and so unnoticed the fervent desire took possession of the boy's
soul that he might one day be a priest and work for the glory of God
and the salvation of souls. It was during those darkest hours for the
Church in France, that Jean, with a number of other children, met in
private to be prepared for the reception of his First Holy Communion.
With what holy rapture did he approach the table of the Lord. That
event was ever held in cherished remembrance by all who participated
in it.
Many years elapsed from the day the youth received his First Holy
Communion to that other day when he began his studies for the
priesthood. Divine Providence willed, first of all, that his piety
should be trained under the guidance of his good and worthy parents.
His daily work was divided between prayer and work, or, to speak more
correctly, his work was a continuous prayer. The life of his Divine
Master, with its miracles and sufferings, supplied him with
inexhaustible material for meditation. At the close of the day's work
and in the company of his mother and sister Catherine, he read the
Holy Scriptures and the lives of the Saints.
Being an extremely diligent and painstaking worker, and because of his
uniform meekness of character, he was a great favorite at home as well
as among his companions outside. Even upon boys who took no pains to
be good, Jean's purity of heart made such an impression that they
would cease their disedifying conversation whenever he approached.
Meanwhile Jean had hoped and prayed that he might become a priest, but
he completed his seventeenth year without having yet begun his
education so necessary to the fulfillment of his desire. Such a result
seemed to be all the more impossible of accomplishment inasmuch as his
father declared point-blank that he had no money to spare for his
son's education.
In 1805, however, a ray of light appeared. The churches were re-opened
following the conclusion of the concordat, and the Rev. Father Bailey,
one of the zealous missionaries of the period, was appointed pastor of
Ecully, a village adjacent to Dardilly. One of his early works wras
the establishment of a seminary for the education of youth for the
priesthood. With his father's approval, Jean, then 19 years old,
presented himself to Father Bailey. The latter had been aware for a
long time of the young man's great piety, received him most kindly and
admitted him as a student.
Thus it came about that Jean sat in class with boys much younger than
he was. Had he been under instruction sooner it would not have been so
very hard for him to learn, as he had a fair capacity for ordinary
studies. But because he was only beginning at an age when most youths
have already mastered the rudiments, his studies occasioned him much
trouble; he was slow to learn and what he did learn he retained only
imperfectly. The study of Latin was for him particularly difficult.
In his need he turned to the Blessed Virgin and to St. Francis Regis,
the Apostle of Vivarais, to whom he had been devoted since childhood.
He undertook a pilgrimage to the latter's tomb at Louvesc to beseech
his help. His faithful confidence was rewarded and from that time on
he experienced fewer difficulties in his studies. When, in after
years, Jean was appointed pastor at Ars, he gratefully remembered the
saint's assistance and brought his statue into the parish church and
zealously promoted devotion to him.
Hardly had Jean begun his studies when an unfortunate obstacle arose.
Napoleon I, at that time holding the destiny of France in his hands,
needed troops for his Spanish campaign. These were raised by
conscription, and notwithstanding the pleadings of his relatives and
of several influential persons, Jean was drawn for military service.
The sorrow which he experienced at this sudden interruption in his
studies was so acute that he became seriously ill and had to be taken
to the hospital, first at Lyons and later at Roanne, the troops
meantime having departed for the Pyrenees. As a matter of fact it came
about that after a long absence from home, Jean was enabled to return
to his native village without having performed any actual military
services.
In 1812, after close application to his studies, Jean was so far
advanced as to be permitted to commence the study of philosophy at
Verrieres. He was now in his twenty-seventh year, and there found
himself one of two hundred pupils, all younger than he. Another bitter
trial now awaited him, for, a few weeks afterwards, he was declared
disqualified to take the course in philosophy in the Latin tongue, and
with six other students he had to attend this course in the French
language.
Not infrequently he was made the butt of his fellow students'
ridicule, yet he was never aroused to anger. Instead, these annoyances
only served to increase his acts of devotion. Still greater trials,
however, were in store for him. Before being admitted into the great
seminary of Lyons to make his preparation for Holy Orders, he was
required to submit to an examination in philosophy. This took place in
the presence of the archbishop and his council. When the questions,
presented in Latin, were put to him his memory wholly failed, and in
sheer confusion he could answer nothing, so overawed was he by the
presence of the distinguished visitors. Accordingly, he alone of all
the candidates was dismissed as unfit to enter the seminary. Imagine
how hard a blow this must have been to Jean. All his work of the
preceding eight years appeared to have been unsuccessful.
In that time of trial Vianney's confidence in God remained unshaken
and he was rewarded by finding a friend in the person of his old
pastor, Father Bailey, who, better acquainted with the character and
qualifications of his protege, induced the authorities to examine Jean
privately the following day. This examination was held before the
vicar-general of the archdiocese and the regent of the theological
seminary, and was so satisfactory that Jean was now permitted to enter
the seminary for the course of theology, in 1814.
As an inmate of the seminary his career was remarkable more for the
piety of his life than for the brilliancy of his intellect. The
regent, however, who recognized Vianney's sterling worth, gave him for
his room-mate a fellow student of marked ability who took pains to
assist Vianney in his studies, and thus aided, Jean advanced toward
the time of his ordination. At that time, 1814, there was a great need
of priests and, for this reason, it was planned that Vianney, with
other alumni should receive subdeacon's orders in the approaching
month of July. But the authorities hesitated. How could they admit to
the higher orders one so poorly qualified? This question the
vicar-general saw fit to settle for himself, and, after examining
Vianney thoroughly, he announced with complacency: "You know as much
as many a country pastor."
The vicar-general, however, had previously conferred with the superior
of the seminary and had asked him: "Is young Vianney pious? Is he
devoted to the Blessed Virgin?" The authorities were able to assure
him fully upon these points. "Then," said the vicar-general, "I will
receive him. Divine grace will do the rest." Thus, on July 2d, 1814,
Vianney received subdeacon's orders and about twelve month's later
those of deacon. In August, of the year 1815, he was raised to the
dignity of the priesthood by the bishop of Grenoble, representing the
archbishop of Lyons, who was at that time in Rome.
Vianney was then twenty-nine years old. The bishop had expressed the
hope that the newly ordained would prove to be an efficient laborer in
the Master's vineyard. Divine Providence, however, had much more than
this in store for the newly consecrated priest, for he was to become a
model, whom Holy Church was one day to present to the entire clergy of
the Catholic world for imitation.
The Blessed Vianney, in his humility, constantly realized and lamented
his imperfections. The sublime ideals of the priesthood and in
particular those of a pastor charged with the care of souls living in
the world, were ever present to him. Later in life he declared that a
true pastor should ever be guided by two principles: (1), he should
never permit himself to think that he can accomplish nothing in his
parish, no matter for how long a time his efforts may have appeared
unfruitful and, (2), he should never consider that he has done enough,
no matter how much he may have accomplished.
In order to perfect himself Father Vianney took another course in
moral theology from the pious and experienced Father Bailey. To him
Jean Baptist Vianney was appointed vicar. He lived with him in the
parish house and took a zealous part in his pastor's practices and
mortifications. They read the breviary together and, during the day,
frequently united in expressions of ardent love to the good God.
Together they spent hours at a time in adoration before the
Tabernacle. In company with his pastor, Father Vianney took his scanty
meal, and his little income passed entirely into the hands of the
poor. Articles of clothing which had been given to him for his own use
went the same way. He was literally possessed of nothing except the
clothes which he wore. With his worthy pastor he made daily visits to
the poor and needy of the village and neighborhood, comforting and
relieving them as much as possible. It took only a short time for his
old friend and pastor, Father Bailey, to realize that he was
entertaining a saint.
In December, 1817, Father Bailey was taken from his parishioners by
death. It was generally hoped that Vicar Vianney would be his
successor, but God had other designs. Before the question was settled,
death had removed the pastor of the little village of Ars who had only
recently taken charge. Thereupon, the vicar-general of the archdiocese
sent Father Vianney there, saying, as he wished him Godspeed: "My
friend, you are going to a small parish where very little of the love
of God can be seen. You are now to enkindle the flame of Divine
charity there!"
Most assuredly the vicar-general, in speaking thus, did not dream that
in a few decades the little village of Ars would become a glowing
hearth of Divine love, spreading its warmth over the entire country.