Today
is the feast of the patron Saint of parish priests: St. John Vianney.
Here at Opus Bono Sacerdotii we have a great devotion to the Cure of
Ares, and ask that he come to the aid and protection of the thousands of
catholic priests who come to us for assistance. St. John Vianney
himself was accused.
Fr. Roger Landry has this to say about the accusation:
“ St.
John Vianney was accused, among other types of debauchery, of
impregnating a young woman who lived near the Church in Ars. His
instinctive response was to forgive and pray for his accusers as well as
for the young woman. But he also came to recognize that it was not
merely his own reputation that was suffering because of the calumnies,
but also the reputation of the priesthood. For that reason, he undertook
a defense, lest by failing to do so, he would give any plausibility to
the vile rumors. The truth eventually came out. His serenity in the
midst of the false and confidence that the truth would emerge, however,
were lessons his parishioners never forgot.” Link to source.
We
ask that today especially, you pray to St. John Vianney to protect and
guide all priests today as they carry out their vocation in this world
as “Other Christs.”
May God Bless You,
Pete
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