R.E. News

SJV Feast Day on Thursday 4th of August

On Thursday it is Saint John Vianney's feast day. We will celebrate as a school on Friday with a day of fun activities and learning about St. Jean Baptiste Marie Vianney. 

Who was St John Vianney? 

Jean-Baptiste-Marie Vianney, known as John in English, was born May 8, 1786, in Dardilly, France and was baptized the same day. He was the fourth of six children born to Matthieu and Marie Vianney.

John was raised in a Catholic home and the family often helped the poor.

In 1790, when the French Revolution forced priests to work in secrecy or face execution, young Vianney believed the priests were heroes.

He joined his heroes as a priest August 12, 1815 in the Couvent des Minimes de Grenoble. His first Mass was celebrated the next day and he was appointed assistant to Balley in Écully.

Three years later, when Balley passed away, Fr. John Vianney was appointed parish priest of the Ars parish. 

He spent 11 to 12 hours each day working to reconcile people with God. In the summer months, he often worked 16-hour days and refused to retire.

His fame spread until people began to travel to him in 1827. Within thirty years, it is said he received up to 20,000 pilgrims each year.

He passed away in 1859 and left behind a legacy of faith and was viewed as the champion of the poor.

On October 3, 1873, Pope Pius IX proclaimed Fr. Vianney as "venerable" and on January 8, 1905, Pope Pius X beatified him. St. John Vianney was canonized on May 31, 1925. His feast day was declared August 9 but it was changed twice before it fell to August 4.

Kind Regards, 

Ru Lameijn (Religious Education Leader)