August 4 - Feast of St. John Marie Vianney - Cure of Ars Pope Benedict prayed that the world's priests would be totally in love with Christ and would serve God and many brothers and sisters like many saintly priests have done.
Today we celebrate this 19th century French pastor named St. John Marie Vianney. He remains a model for all who are charged with the care of souls. St. John Vianney spent himself, even to his own health, preaching and administering the sacraments to the faithful.
How fitting that Pope Benedict has chosen the 150th anniversary of St. John Vianney's death to call the whole Church to observe a Jubilee Year for Priests, during which he hopes priests and laity alike will grow in the understanding of the ministerial priesthood.
St. John writes, "When we go before the Blessed Sacrament, let us open our heart, our good God will open His. We shall go to Him; He will come to us; the one to ask, the other to receive. It will be like a breath from one to another. "
He is the perfect example of Jesus love and sacrifice for all.
Make him your saint-friend.
