Tomorrow (August 4) is the feast of St. Jean-Marie Vianney, the 19th century French priest who was known for his kindness, holiness, and ministry as a parish priest. Almost 100 years ago, Jean (John) Vianney was canonized as a saint and named patron of parish priests. John was dedicated to the church and the people of Ars - a small village south of Lyon (the city where Francis de Sales died). He spent almost twelve hours a day hearing confessions and sharing the mercy of God. People from his village, his region, and all over Europe would come to his parish to experience the compassion of the “Cure d’Ars.” Some people believed Vianney could look into their hearts and “read their souls.” Others were inspired by his simple way of life and rousing sermons. Whatever supernatural gifts he had, the Cure d’Ars spent his life for the sanctification of his people and for the care of their souls. His greatest gift to the Church was his ability to help believers look beyond their earthly sins and to accept the love and forgiveness of God.
The life and example of John Vianney reminds me of the founder of the Oblates of St. Francis de Sales, Blessed Louis Brisson. Like the Cure d’Ars, Brisson was first and foremost a pastor, caring for the souls of God’s people. He told the Oblates to “respect the soul of your student.” These words were given at a time when most of the Oblate community was teaching in high schools. While the circumstance of Oblate life may have changed, the spirit of Fr. Brisson’s words continue to resonate with every Oblate, in every apostolate in which he ministers. Oblates are called to respect the people in their schools, missions, and every place where they work to spread the spirit of Francis de Sales.
As a pastor concerned with souls, Fr. Brisson recognized the grace and power of the Sacrament of Reconciliation. He passed onto the Oblates the advice of the Bishop of Geneva (St. Francis de Sales) to strive and be gentle and humble confessors. He recognized that we are all sinners and that we need to be patient with everyone, especially with ourselves. As Bishop De Sales had written to the priests of his diocese that “the touchstone of the perfect confessor is that he be merciful with the vices of others, but never forget his own imperfections (from The Works of St. Francis de Sales, Annecy, 1928).”
St. Francis reminded the Visitation Sisters (and us) that when we sin and return to the Father, we must “go forth very bravely with perfect trust in the goodness of Him who calls us to holiness. God allows many difficulties to beset those who want to serve Him, but He never lets them sink beneath the burden as long as they trust in Him (Letter to Rev. Mother de Brechard, July 22, 1616).”
Today, the Oblates continue the practice of Francis de Sales, Louis Brisson, and John Vianney by being gentle pastors and kind confessors. They recognize that it is not only what they teach in a lesson or in the pulpit, but what they do in their daily lives that makes an impression on students, parishioners, and co-workers. In a conference to the early Oblates, Fr. Brisson reminded them that it is “in the classroom, in the chapel, in the confessional,” that they care for the minds, hearts, and souls of their pupils and their people. Brisson called his community (and all of us) to not only know and teach about the Savior but in the words of his patron, to “live Jesus.”
Fr. Jack Kolodziej, OSFS
Provincial
Wilmington-Philadelphia Province
Did you enjoy this article? Click here to email Father Jack Kolodziej, OSFS.
