The Cure of Ars

August fourth markes the feat of the Cure of Ars - Saint John Vianney. During his life, he witnessed the results the French Revolution had on the Catholicism of France; both during and after the Revolution. Since the Revolution martyred many priests, a shortage of priests resulted, along with a weakening in the Faith of the people. In modern times, we have a shortage of priests due to a different sort of revolution - a spiritual one. The present revolution is between good and evil; Satan and the devils revolting against God through influencing society and man. During and after the French Revolution, the people abandoned or ignored all or part of their Faith. In the present day, many children do not adequately learn their Faith, and many adults are themselves ignorant of the Faith or simply do not adhere to its teachings. Under such circumstances, young men cannot answer the call to the priesthood if they are not discerning God's Will for them to begin with.
Through the practice of fasting, prayer, making use of the sacraments, mortification, the Blessed Sacrament and remaining steadfast to the Faith, St. John Vianney was able to make a difference in the little town of Ars. Before he arrived, he people were not zealous in their Faith, but at the time of his death, he had influenced not only Ars, but many other people, to be steadfast Catholics. The practices used by the Cure of Ars may well be ones that can change the current path and body of society and culture.

Saint John Vianney, pray for us!