As we have just recently celebrated Vianney Sunday, we may come to think: why do priests, in their holiness and closeness to God, still invoke the patron saint of parish priests?
This is not only about priests.
The younger generation must know that a saint once failed in his academic pursuits.
Take it from St. John Vianney, the man himself who proved that God doesn’t call the qualified, but qualifies the called.
Born to peasant farmers, the future Curé d’Ars felt called to the priesthood at a young age, but was prevented from going to school because of the French Revolution. After tensions died down in France, Vianney enrolled in a local school but struggled with the curriculum even though he was the oldest in his class.
He was constantly teased for his ignorance.
Once a younger student made fun of him because he couldn’t answer a question and punched him in the face. That student was Mathias Loras, who ended up becoming friends with Vianney and later became the first bishop of Dubuque, Iowa.
Eventually Vianney was allowed to study in seminary, but was considered “too slow” by his formators. After Vianney failed an examination, the seminary rector said, “John-Baptist, the professors do not find you fit for sacred ordination to priesthood. Some of them have called you an ass knowing nothing of theology. How can we promote you to the reception of the sacrament of priesthood?”
Vianney famously responded, “Monsignor, Samson killed one hundred Philistines with the jawbone of an ass. What do you think God could do with a whole one?”
Vianney was ordained a priest on account of his holiness and went on to become one of the greatest parish priests ever known, sitting in the confessional for up to 16 hours a day to reconcile souls with God.
Having poured out his life for his parishioners, St. John Vianney entered eternal rest on August 4, 1859, at the age of 73. He was beatified by Pope St. Pius X in 1905, canonized by Pope Pius XI in 1925, and proclaimed the “heavenly patron of all parish priests throughout the world” in 1929.
St. John Vianney’s life reminds us that God does not look at our test scores, our status, or our perceived limitations. He looks at the humility and devotion of our hearts.
If you are struggling, feeling inadequate, or questioning your path today, remember that God can work extraordinary miracles through our ordinary weaknesses.
St. John Vianney, pray for us!