John Mary Vianney was born at Dardilly, France in the year 1786.  He began to study for the priesthood at the age of twenty, but encountered great difficulty in his studies. His time at school was interrupted when he was drafted into the army in 1809. St. John continued his studies in 1811 but was told that it was unlikely that he would be ordained a priest because of his poor academic record.

Overcoming these adversities, he was ordained to the priesthood in 1815. In the year 1818, he was appointed parish priest in the village of Ars, where he was to spend the rest of his life. Because of the difficult political situation in France, most of the people in the village were indifferent to their faith. St. John spent so much time and effort reforming the lives of the people that Ars became a pilgrimage site for all of France. It was not uncommon for trainloads of people to arrive in the town to see the priest. St. John often spent between sixteen and eighteen hours a day in the confessional. He accepted it as necessary. He continued to work in Ars until his death in 1859.

Though not a member of the Society of Mary, Vianney developed a special relationship to the Brothers. One of Chaminade’s followers experienced difficulty persevering in his vocation. Knowing the Curé of Ars’ reputation as a confessor, the Brother went to seek his counsel. John Vianney knew of the excellent work of the Society and told the Brother that anyone who would persevere in such a marvelous society would surely go to heaven. The Brothers have a special place in their hearts for the gentle priest of Ars.

St. John was canonized in 1925 and named patron of parish priests in 1928. His feast day is August 4.