St. John Vianney, Houston, TX - Our Parish Patron

Our Parish Patron
JOHN VIANNEY
The Patron Saint of Priests

Also known as the Cure d'Ars; Jean-Baptiste Vianney; John Mary Vianney; Jean Baptiste Marie Vianney; John Baptist Vianney; and Jean Marie Baptiste Vianney.

John Vianney was born in 1786 in Dardilly, Lyons, France. As a boy, he taught other children how to say their prayers and learn their catechism. While working as a young farm hand, he heard his calling to become a priest. However, he was not a very good student, so he persevered through several years of study and was finally ordained to the priesthood at age 30. He was especially frustrated with Latin!

His first assignment was to the parish of Ars, where Mass attendance was dismal. To improve this situation, he visited his parishioners, especially the sick and poor, and he spent days in prayer, doing penances for his parishioners.

God gifted him with the discernment of spirits, prophecy, and hidden knowledge. Evil spirits tormented him, especially during the night when he tried to get 2 to 3 hours of sleep. (See his bed in the photo.) His preaching was so good and his compassion was so evident that his reputation spread. Thousands came to listen to him and to receive the Sacrament of Reconciliation from him. He spent 40 years as the parish priest and died on August 4, 1859. The Church canonized him in 1925. His body is uncorrupted, as seen below.