The Cure Of Ars: Patron Saint of Parish Priests

by Bartholomew J. O'Brien

Life of the great St. John Vianney (1786-1859). He barely succeeded in becoming a priest, but from the humblest parish imaginable, he became the "Patron Saint of Parish Priests" everywhere. He spent hours in the confessional, and because of his virtuous life he had to confront the devil many times. Read this concise and edifying biography of the famous Cure of Ars.

Genres: Catholic, Religion, Biography

144 pages, Paperback

First published January 1, 1947

Reviews

[Dhanaraj Rajan · Rating 3 out of 5]

Three and Half Stars.

It is a simple hagiography.
It introduces the saint and his saintly works and the challenges that he faced in this life.
It is not an elaborate and a critical biography of the saint.

It can motivate young Catholic minds.

And so it can serve as a best Confirmation Gift for the boys or for the young seminarians/novices and for the newly ordained priests.

And it can also serve as an inspiration for any good Catholic who seeks the lives of saints for motivation. It seems it is written for that purpose only.

P.S. I started this book as my first book for the year 2024. And I am happy I read it.

[Nick Anderson · Rating 4 out of 5]

“To suffer lovingly is to suffer no longer. To flee from the cross is to be crushed beneath its weight. We should pray for a love of the cross — then it will become sweet.”

“Humility is to the various virtues what the chain is in a rosary: take away the chain and the beads are scattered: remove humility, and all virtues vanish.”

[Stephanie · Rating 4 out of 5]

I bought this from my Newman Center bookstore over 20 years ago. I am sure I read it then, but it was good to revisit. It is a short and easy to read biography of a great saint! I particularly loved the chapter, Flight! in which he tried to leave his parish for a life of solitude three times.

"To remain in the active apostolate in obedience to his Bishop was truly a martyrdom for the contemplative soul of the Curé of Ars".

[James Hamilton · Rating 5 out of 5]

While I may have enjoyed a more chronological account of St. John Vianney, this short collection of different aspects of the great patron of priests life, absolutely brought to life this amazing, devoted, selfless, and particular character who saves so much from the ravages of the French Revolution and it's aftershocks. Not only is the Cure' of Ars an example, but he is truly a inspiration and heavenly friend we should all get to know a little better.

[Latisha · Rating 5 out of 5]

I read this simply to find out more about the life of the saint my parish is dedicated to, but it grabbed me and pulled me in! It is a very fast but beautiful read!! I was stricken with real emotion for him and the cross he so diligently bore- til death.

[Andrea · Rating 4 out of 5]

I liked it! I didn't realize there was a bigger book on him so I'm going to read that. this was a good little starter book though for getting to know St. John Vianney :)