Vianney, Jean-Baptiste Marie, St
Vianney, Jean-Baptiste Marie, St (1786–1859). French priest, better known as the Curé d'Ars, because of his pastoral ministry in that village. He was born near Lyons and received little formal education. He was dismissed from two seminaries in his attempt to become a priest, but was eventually ordained at Grenoble in 1815. In 1818 he began his ministry in Ars-en-Dombes, a village of about 230 of those whom he regarded as souls, not people. The life of the village was transformed, and soon penitents came to him in vast numbers: during his last years, he spent up to eighteen hours a day in the confessional. He was made patron of parish priests in 1929.
More From encyclopedia.com
About this article
Vianney, Jean-Baptiste Marie, St
NEARBY TERMS
Vianney, Jean-Baptiste Marie, St
