The Sacred Heart of St. John Vianney

The sacred Heart of St. John Vianney recently came to Holy Spirit Parish yesterday, the second to last stop  of a United States tour for the cherished relic. The Sacred Heart was touring in Honor of the the year of the Priest, and  St. Vianney is the Patron Saint for Parish Priests. His incorrupt body is on display in the basilica in Ars, France.

St. John Vianney  a pastor of a small town of 230 people. He  believed in upholding Catholic faith and giving of his time. He spent so much time listening to confessions, that  he became internationally known and had. In 1855 20,000 pilgrims visited  him and his parish. Towards the last 10 years of his life, he spent 12-18 hours a day in the listening to confessions.

Although it was not 20,000, several hundred visitors came from all over to pray and be in the presence of the miraculously incorrupt heart. Today the heart was on display at our very own Oakland Cathedral: Christ The Light. Tomorrow the heart will return to france where it resides in the Shrine of the Cure’s Heart (A building next to the basilica in Ars, France.)

It was a rare opportunity, and I hope you had a chance (or get a chance) to experience what I would describe as a visual moment of clarity in how God’s blessings can spread through one man’s generous acts.

Ephesians 5: 1-2 TLB-

Follow God’s example in everything you do just as much loved child imitates his father. Be full of love for others, following the example of Christ who loved you and gave himself to God as a sacrifice to take away your sins. And God was pleased, for Christ’s love for you was like sweet perfume to him.