St. John Vianney ministered in the village of Ars, France, during the first half of the 19th century. Deeply mystical and spiritual, he relentlessly summoned pilgrims and parishioners alike to greater intimacy with Christ and complete reliance on His mercy in the sacrament of reconciliation. He endured many setbacks in his pursuit of the Priesthood and his ministry to the people of Ars. Upon first arriving in that village in France, he found a lifeless church in near-ruin and a generation of people who had abandoned the substance and practice of their faith.
He would not relent. “It was this attribute of perseverance which, coupled with a burning desire to convert hearts, was at the core of Vianney’s entire life and ministry. St. John Vianney was consumed with the desire to convert hearts, save souls, offer the Eucharist and free people from their sins in the sacrament of reconciliation.
He spent between 12 and 18 hours a day in the confessional, reconciling penitents, converting hearts, bringing people back to the Lord. The humble priest would liken making a good confession to un-nailing Jesus from the cross, “for it was our sins which put Him there in the first place.” “The Lord is more anxious,” he would say, “to forgive our sins than a woman is to carry her baby out of a burning building.” In this way he saved many souls and showed way to heaven. All followers of Christ, and the Church as a whole, are called to be consumed with St. John Vianney’s passion for saving souls, especially the priests, pastors unto the heart of Christ.
Once St. John Vianney stopped and asked a little boy, “Show me the way to Ars. I will show you the way to heaven”. All pastors of Christ are called to save souls. There are various ways to do so. To mention some:
- Through the celebration of the Most Holy Eucharist
- Celebrating the Sacraments, especially the sacrament of Reconciliation and Anointing of the Sick.
- Praying for the souls in purgatory.
- Through effective and life changing sermons.
- Bringing more people close to church through their words, actions and well-mannered behavior.
- Making people feel close to God through effective celebration of Eucharist, adoration, sermons and through all the spiritual activities.
- Making them feel belonged to the church by being available to the people, helping them in their difficulties.
- Visiting people, especially the elderly, sick, those who lost their loved one, etc.
A priest in not for himself and for his family , but for the people of God and to show them the way to heaven like St. John Vianney and all the Saints through Jesus Christ our good pastor and Shepherd.
-Fr. Leslie Gomes