A FEW GOOD MEN........THE STORY OF Saint John Vianney

WITNESS




8-4-13




A FEW MEN---The Story of Saint John Vianney




Many Catholic priests
Take heavy criticism
In today’s world
Some deservedly so
Many not


John Vianney
Was the son of a farmer
He spent his early life
As a shepherd boy
On his father’s farm
With little formal schooling


At the age of 20
He began his studies
For the priesthood
But his studies
Were interrupted
By a call
To military service
During the French Revolution


Let us always remember
That many of the Catholic priests today
Have dedicated
Their whole life
To a life of service
Dedicated to serving God and others


John Vianney
Was such a man
Dedicated to loving and serving God
And loving and serving others


John was a man
With great humility
He had
Much difficulty with his studies
Particularly Latin


But John
Like many of us
Was a man with a dream
And persisted in following his dream


John had such insight
In to the personal difficulties
Of others
It was said
He had the supernatural gift
Of reading men and women’s hearts


Three times
John left to become a monk
But 3 times he returned


John was
A great preacher and counselor
He excelled
Both inside and outside the confessional


And so today
As Catholic priests
Continue to come under fire
Please remember
That many of these men
Are men of great humility
Men living a simple life
Of dedication
To God and you


Men like Saint John Vianney
The patron Saint
Of parish priests
A man so highly thought of
By his government
That knighthood and the legion of honor
Were attempted to be given to him
But he refused


In Jesus’ name
We pray
That we never forget
True men of honor
Men like Saint JohnVianney
And their contribution
Towards building the Kingdom of God


Robert P. Wallman
7-6-11


Ps Today---August 4^th--- is Saint John Vianney’s feast day


We honor him today---as we honor ALL men and women of virtue
Who have dedicated their lives to the building up of the Kingdom of God




WITNESS 8-4-13



and 8-4-14