Humble shepherd of souls. Patron of parish priests

Today is the feast of Saint John Vianney, a pastor in accordance with the heart of God. He spent so many years of his childhood and adolescence working in the fields and tending the flocks that at the age of 17 he was still illiterate. Nonetheless he knew by heart the prayers his devout mother had taught him. He pondered on his desire to become a priest but it was far from easy for him to achieve it. —His existence was a living catechesis that acquired a very special effectiveness when people saw him celebrating Mass, pausing before the tabernacle in adoration or spending hour after hour in the confessional.