St Jean-Baptiste-Marie Vianney (1786 -1859) was the son of peasant farmers.He entered the seminary preparing for the priesthood. He did not show much promise and was seen as not having much ability. However, his faith and sincerity were obvious.As newly ordained, he was sent to the remote village of Ars-en-Dombes in the region of Lyon in France. He stayed there for the rest of his life since his parishioners would not let him go!He became a noted preacher and confessor.Thousands flocked to him for ministry.He had the ability to look into people’s souls and see where their life was heading. Sometimes he spent as long as 18 hours hearing confessions in a day!There is also evidence that the power of darkness tried to wreck his health, keeping him awake at night with loud and unexplained noises.While he was not at all outstanding in his studies, St Jean had a God-given wisdom and perception that touched lives so significantly for so many.Saint Paul tells that when we are weak, we are strong. When we recognise our need for God and humbly let him lead us, then the grace of God can do so much more in us than we can dream or imagine…
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