Have you ever met someone who moved you to reconsider faith? I met such a person in a little town known as Ars sur Formans.

Ars is situated about 19 miles north of Lyon, France. It is a small town with nothing extravagant in it, except the remains of one man: Jean Baptiste Marie Vianney. He was the parish priest of this small town. I remember seeing his statue when we first entered the town and was struck by its message. He is in conversation with the young boy asking for the way to Ars. The Curé d’Ars, with gratitude in his heart, promised to show the boy the way to heaven.

The Curé d’Ars was an example of perseverance. He lived during the tail end of the French Revolution. Structures within the Church were changing, people became indifferent to faith, yet he remained steadfast.

Vianney wanted nothing more than to be a priest. He struggled in seminary because he lacked the skill set to retain Latin and theology. His perseverance and the grace of God led him to ordained ministry.

Vianney was a man who modeled fasting and prayer. He practiced these disciplines regularly for love of his town that many would come to Christ in a world that was becoming indifferent to him. He sat countless hours in his confessional dispensing the mercy of God. Many from outside of Ars came to receive the spiritual counsel of this holy priest. All his fasting and bouts with Satan were done in secret. These sacrifices were joyfully offered for the sanctification of his people.

To commemorate my once in a lifetime week in Ars, I have a small statue of this simple priest that sits in our home office. I bought it at his parish gift shop. I also have a prayer card tucked away in my brievary which has a prayer attributed to him. I pray it often.

Perseverance and God’s grace led him to holiness. He was not an academic, yet loved Jesus immensely. This love was felt by countless people. If we remain rooted in the love of Jesus, we too can lead others to him.

Today, remember the priest who baptized you, who gave you your first communion, the many priests to whom you are indebted to for ignigting the fire of Christ in your heart. May John Vianney strengthen them in their ministry and accompany them to eternal life.