Wednesday 4 August 2010

St Jean-Marie Vianney . . .

Benediction with the monstrance used by St Jean Vianney

Dear Jesus, we thank you for the joy and happiness
brought to us by the Most Holy Eucharist.
Come and slake our thirst, satisfy our hunger.
Deepen our desire to receive you in this Sacrament of your Love,
so that we might become one with you for ever.
Amen.

Today we keep the memorial of St Jean-Marie Vianney. He was born near Lyons in 1786 and from an early age wanted to become a priest.

After his ordination in 1815 he was sent to the village of Ars and was Parish Priest there for forty years.

He was most noted for his great love and devotion to the Blessed Sacrament. As a Spiritual Director he attracted big numbers and spent many hours in the confessional.

He was canonised in 1925 by Pope Pius XI and declared Patron of Parish Priests.

St Jean Vianney's confessional.

Lord God, we thank you for the beauty and grace
of the Sacrament of Reconciliation.
Give us deeper faith in the power of this sacrament
to purify and renew our soul,
and grant us greater confidence in your boundless mercy.
Amen.

1 comment:

Cindy said...

Without our parish priests we wouldn't be able to benefit from either the Holy Eucharist or Confession. Thank you Fr Míċeál for responding to God's call to the priesthood and thank you to all our priests.

With prayers on this feast day of the Patron of all Parish Priests.