When Pius XI, accorded the honors of sainthood to  John Mary Vianney he reminded  everyone of "the lean figure of John Vianney, with that head shining with long hair that resembled a snowy crown, and that thin face, due to long fasting, where the innocence and holiness of the meekest and humblest of souls shone forth clearly.” John Vianney’s life encourages all of us priests to live like Christ. Like Christ,  He lived and died a poor man. In 1998  Pope John Paul II on the feast day of St John Mary Vianney said “We exhort all of Our beloved sons who share in the priesthood to give careful thought to this example of poverty and charity. Daily experience shows that priests who live modestly and follow the teaching of the Gospel by paying little attention to their own interests, always confer wonderful benefits on the Christian people." In the course of a discussion of the current problems of society he said: "When they look around and see men ready to sell anything for money and to strike a bargain for anything at all, let them pass right through the midst of these attractions of vice without a thought or care for their own desires; and let them in their holiness spurn this base pursuit of wealth, and look for the riches of souls rather than for money, and let them long for and seek God's glory rather than their own."

It is said that the face of  John  Vianney shone with an angelic purity. And even now anyone who turns toward him in mind and spirit cannot help being struck, not merely by the great strength of soul with which this athlete of Christ reduced his body to slavery, but also by the great persuasive powers he exercised over the pious crowds of pilgrims who came to him and were drawn by his heavenly meekness to follow in his footsteps. From his daily experiences in the Sacrament of Penance he got an unmistakable picture of the terrible havoc that is wrought by impure desire. His own observations in this regard led him to offer this encouragement and advice to-his hearers: "The works of penance abound in such delights and joys that once they have been tasted, nothing will ever again root them out of the soul.... Only the first steps are difficult for those who eagerly choose this path."

"The thing that keeps us priests from gaining sanctity" – the Cure of Ars used to say -- "is thoughtlessness. It annoys us to turn our minds away from external affairs; we don't know what we really ought to do. What we need is deep reflection, together with prayer and an intimate union with God." The testimony of his life makes it clear that he always remained devoted to his prayers.  

He who was to spend almost the whole of the last thirty years of his life in Church caring for the crowds of penitents who flocked to him, had one special characteristic -- it was specially directed toward the Eucharist.  It is almost unbelievable how ardent his devotion to Christ hidden beneath the veils of the Eucharist really was. "He is the one" -- he said -- "Who has loved us so much; why shouldn't we love Him in return?"He was devoted to the adorable Sacrament of the altar with a burning charity and his soul was drawn to the sacred Tabernacle by a heavenly force that could not be resisted.

This is how he taught his faithful to pray: "You do not need many words when you pray. We believe on faith that the good and gracious God is there in the tabernacle; we open our souls to Him; and feel happy that He allows us to come before Him; this is the best way to pray." He did everything that there was to be done to stir up the reverence and love of the faithful for Christ hidden in the Sacrament of the Eucharist and to bring them to share in its riches.

As we spend this hour with the Lord we ask St John Mary Vianney to pray for us.                                   

(Opening Hymn)All Over The World The Spirit Is Moving                                                                            All over the world as the prophet said it would be;                                                                                  All over the world there’s a mighty revelation

Of the glory of the Lord, as the waters cover the sea.

Deep down in my heart….

In silence we tell Jesus that we want to be with him and spend this hour in his presence.

Opening prayer

Leader : God our Father, give to our hearts the light of faith and the fire of love, so that we may worship You in a spirit of truth, our God and Lord, present in this sacrament, who lives and reigns for ever and ever. Amen

Gospel Reading: John 15: 9-14

(Reflection)

The disciples are to love one another. They are to love as Jesus has loved them. That is the real challenge of the new commandment. It is not merely loving but loving as Jesus loves them, as Jesus loves you and me. His love for us is a preserving love. We are not mere ciphers in a social scale; not a faceless crowd. Jesus loves us as persons, unique and unrepeatable. He knows us through and though. He knows by name. He has carved us on the palm of his hand. Jesus loves us with a pardoning love. How often have we not refused and rejected his love? In ways big and small, we have betrayed him. But on his part nothing has changed for Jesus loves us without clauses or conditions. Jesus loves us with a preserving love. His love never ends. His love is everlasting. His love does not depend on our goodness; neither does his goodness depend on our love. That is the way Jesus wants us to love. In his presence tonight we pray for the grace to love as Jesus loves us, to live the new commandment of love that he gives us, for by this will others know that we are disciples of Jesus if we love another.

Silence

Leader: Let us turn to Jesus and ask Him to teach us to love.

R/      Lord, teach us to love.

When we are impatient and unkind.                                           R/

When we feel jealous, conceited or proud.                                R/

When we are ill-mannered, selfish and irritable.              R/

When we want to keep a record of wrongs and hurts.   R/

When we are inclined to rejoice in the evil that befalls    R/

others.                                                                                     

When we want to judge and condemn others.                R/

(Hymn)A new commandment I give unto you

That you love one another, as I have loved you (2)

By this shall all know that you are my disciples; If you have love one for another

You are my friends if you do what I command you; Without my help you can do nothing.