My name is John Vianney. I wanted to be a priest more than anything. But for a while it seemed like it would never happen! My studies were very difficult for me. The more I worked, the emptier my head seemed to become. But my bishop had confidence in me. I became the parish priest of a little village in France, called Ars. I said Mass and heard confessions and did my best. Gradually, the people started coming back to God. “How beautiful life is!” I would tell them. “And death is beautiful, too!” Now I am the patron saint of all parish priests.

Saint John Vianney, pray for us! Help us to lead other people to God by the holiness, kindness, and gentleness of our lives.