Can you imagine sitting in a small closet-like space for eleven to sixteen hours per day in all types of weather listening to people’s struggles?
That’s what today’s saint—Saint John Vianney did day after day to help people reconcile with God and each other through the sacrament of Confession.
When we hear stories like his, we can presume that everything came easily in their life’s journey. However, like all of us, there were challenges that today’s saint had to face and overcome.
For starters, he struggled with Latin in seminary. Because all exams were taken in Latin, this caused him to be considered an inferior candidate for the priesthood. Fortunately, one of his seminary priests saw a young man of great faith and determination and became John Vianney’s advocate.
In movies that tell stories like this, many times, the hero overcomes a challenge and then enjoys quick success. But, in this case, St. John had to persevere through many long hours of study but with little success. Ultimately, he was ordained a priest. But, he was sent to a place no one else wanted to go, a place that many had given up on the Catholic faith—for which he had given his life.
If you know St. John’s story, you know that against-all-odds, he won over the town’s people by his example and perseverance. He is a great example and inspiration for any of us who might feel like we are spinning our wheels and not getting anywhere.
When faced with what seemed like insurmountable challenges, Saint John Vianney placed his faith, not in his ability but in God.
St. John’s story is one for anyone who may have started behind in life or is there now. His educational struggles weren’t solely due to a lack of ability but hindered by poverty and the inability to go to school at a young age.
Venerable Patrick Peyton overcame a similar challenge due to poverty and became a highly successful student in seminary and amazing evangelist for family Rosary prayer.
What these two men and many other holy people remind us is that with God’s grace and our cooperation in doing our part, God will take challenging situations and use them to not only allow us to serve Him but also to draw us closer in friendship.
I recently heard a woman say that when her children were faced with adversity, she told them that challenges were opportunities that come dressed in work clothes. St. John Vianney embraced the work in the vineyard of the Lord and never gave up, even when he couldn’t see how God would make things right.
So, whether you or a family member are discouraged, looking for direction, or need to go to Confession; today’s saint—St. John Vianney offers you hope to persevere, seek God’s forgiveness, or maybe explore the vocation of the priesthood.
I’ll leave you with one saying from the St. Vianney: “Here is the rule for everyday life: Do not do anything which you cannot offer to God.”
May God bless you and your family this holy day!
Father David's inspirational homily was recorded live this morning during Mass at the Father Peyton Center. Please view the video on our Facebook page. (You don't need a Facebook account to view.)
To view Rosary prayer and Mass streaming live, please visit our Facebook page at 11:30 am EDT, Monday – Friday. Please invite your loved ones to join us too! (You don't need a Facebook account to view.)
Father David S. Marcham is a priest of the Archdiocese of Boston and serves as Vice Postulator and Guild Director of the Cause for Canonization of Venerable Patrick Peyton. Before entering St. John’s Seminary in Brighton, Massachusetts, he worked for eleven years as a physical therapist in Boston-area hospitals. Ordained in 2005, Father David was assigned to St. Mary Parish in Franklin, Massachusetts. His involvement in Father Peyton’s Cause began in 2007, when he assisted Father George Lucas, C.S.C., in advancing the Cause for Canonization. Appointed Vice Postulator in 2009, Father David oversees the progress of the Cause, directs the Guild, and promotes devotion to Father Peyton’s legacy of family prayer.
