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Thoughts of the Curé of Ars
Jean-Baptiste-Marie Vianney, T.O.S.F., (1786 – 1859), was a French parish priest who is better known as the Curé d'Ars. He became internationally notable for his priestly and pastoral work in his parish because of the radical spiritual transformation of the community and its surroundings. He is venerated in the Catholic Church as a saint and as the patron saint of all priests.
80 pages, Kindle Edition
First published January 1, 1930
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About the author
John Vianney
32 books25 followersSt. Jean-Marie Vianney was born in 1786 at Dardilly, France. After being drafted, leaving the army, and opening a school for village schoolchildren, he joined the minor seminary of Verrieres in 1812 and was ordained a priest three years afterward.
He is often referred to as the "Curé d'Ars". He became internationally notable for his priestly and pastoral work in his parish because of the radical spiritual transformation of the community and its surroundings due to his saintly life, mortification, his persevering ministry in the sacrament of confession, and his ardent devotion to the Blessed Virgin Mary and to Saint Philomena.
St. Vianney died at Ars-sur-Formans, France, in 1859, and was declared a saint by Pope Pius XI in 1925. His feast day is celebrated on the fourth of August.
He is often referred to as the "Curé d'Ars". He became internationally notable for his priestly and pastoral work in his parish because of the radical spiritual transformation of the community and its surroundings due to his saintly life, mortification, his persevering ministry in the sacrament of confession, and his ardent devotion to the Blessed Virgin Mary and to Saint Philomena.
St. Vianney died at Ars-sur-Formans, France, in 1859, and was declared a saint by Pope Pius XI in 1925. His feast day is celebrated on the fourth of August.
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Displaying 1 - 7 of 7 reviews
October 5, 2017
Excellent advice from a great saint
This is a wonderful little collection of insights and advice from St. John Vianney, whose quotes in other books have always caught my attention. There is no context or history provided in this little book (hence the missing star in this review), but the saint's words stand on their own. A nice devotional read on my daily commute. :)
This is a wonderful little collection of insights and advice from St. John Vianney, whose quotes in other books have always caught my attention. There is no context or history provided in this little book (hence the missing star in this review), but the saint's words stand on their own. A nice devotional read on my daily commute. :)
September 24, 2019
Very inspiring thoughts. A perfect book for daily prayer. Inspiring and consoling
September 30, 2018
Very nice little book.
May 23, 2020
If you're intimidated by Abbe Trochu's 700 page biography of the Cure of Ars, maybe start here with this small booklet of his sayings. They are beautiful and easily added to your daily devotions.
"Never forget that it is at the beginning of each day that God has the necessary grace for the day ready for us. He knows exactly what opportunities we shall have to sin...and will give us everything we need if we ask him then. That is why the Devil does all he can to prevent us from saying our Morning Prayers or to make us say them badly." (p. 18)
"He who, when tempted, makes the Sign of the Cross with devotion, makes Hell tremble and Heaven rejoice." (p. 26)
"Life is given us that we may learn to die well, and we never think of it! To die well we must live well." (p. 28)
"We may well be astonished that God was obliged to make a commandment to forbid us to take his Name in vain." (p. 28)
"Alas! O my God, if there are so few to bear the Cross, there will only be few to adore thee in eternity." (p. 29)
"To him who seeks only to please God and to save his soul, the necessities will never be lacking." (p. 30)
"Although Mary knew that God had raised her to the most supreme of all honors -- that of being the Mother of God -- nevertheless she regarded herself as the least of all creatures." (p. 40)
"God makes greater speed to pardon a penitent sinner than a mother to snatch her child out of the fire." (p. 43)
"We must never despite the poor, because that contempt is reflected back upon God." (p. 47)
"Everyone is ready to run after the latest novelty...But as for Jesus Christ in the Blessed Sacrament, he is deserted and forsaken..." (p. 52)
"We must watch over our mind, our heart and our senses, for these are the gates by which the Devil enters in." (p. 55)
"It is God's will that on Sundays we should occupy ourselves only with what has to do with his service and the salvation of our soul. By doing so, we draw down blessings on our work during the week." (p. 56)
"Those who love riches or pleasure offer God nothing but the languid remains of a heart worn out in the service of the world." (p. 56)
"It is impossible to meditate with devotion upon the Mysteries of the Rosary and live in a state of sin." (p. 59)
"Worldly people say it is too difficult to save one's soul. Yet nothing is easier. To observe the Commandments of God and the Church and to do good and avoid evil; that is all." (p. 61)
"Do not try to please everybody. Try to please God, the angels, and the saints - they are your public." (p. 64)
"A saint has told us that one day at Mass he saw Jesus Christ with his hands full of gifts, looking for souls to whom he might give them." (p. 65)
"'M. le Cure,' his missionary said to him one day, 'if God were to give you your choice of going directly to Heaven, or remaining on earth to labor for the conversion of sinners, what would you do?' 'I think I would remain here.' 'Oh! M. le Cure, is it possible? The saints are so happy in Heaven!' 'That is true, but they can no longer glorify God, as we can, by sacrifices for the salvation of souls.'" (p. 66)
"In Heaven, God will place us as an architect places the stones in a building -- each in the place fitted for it." (p. 68)
"My child, we must not be afraid of doing good, even if it costs us something." (p. 69)
"When we do some act of charity, let us direct our intention by saying: 'My God, receive this gift or this service I am about to render, in prayer for such and such a grace.'" (p. 72)
"The Passion of Our Lord is like a great river that flows down from a mountain and is never exhausted." (p. 74)
"Worldly people have not the Holy Spirit, or if they have, it is only for a moment. The noise of the world drives him away." (p. 76)
"Nothing is harder to bear than those things which wound our self-love; but if we thought of the humiliations suffered by Jesus Christ at Bethlehem, should we ever dare to complain?" (p. 76-77)
"God wills that we should work today and tomorrow; and after that, an eternity of joy, of happiness, awaits us in Heaven..." (p. 77)
"Never forget that it is at the beginning of each day that God has the necessary grace for the day ready for us. He knows exactly what opportunities we shall have to sin...and will give us everything we need if we ask him then. That is why the Devil does all he can to prevent us from saying our Morning Prayers or to make us say them badly." (p. 18)
"He who, when tempted, makes the Sign of the Cross with devotion, makes Hell tremble and Heaven rejoice." (p. 26)
"Life is given us that we may learn to die well, and we never think of it! To die well we must live well." (p. 28)
"We may well be astonished that God was obliged to make a commandment to forbid us to take his Name in vain." (p. 28)
"Alas! O my God, if there are so few to bear the Cross, there will only be few to adore thee in eternity." (p. 29)
"To him who seeks only to please God and to save his soul, the necessities will never be lacking." (p. 30)
"Although Mary knew that God had raised her to the most supreme of all honors -- that of being the Mother of God -- nevertheless she regarded herself as the least of all creatures." (p. 40)
"God makes greater speed to pardon a penitent sinner than a mother to snatch her child out of the fire." (p. 43)
"We must never despite the poor, because that contempt is reflected back upon God." (p. 47)
"Everyone is ready to run after the latest novelty...But as for Jesus Christ in the Blessed Sacrament, he is deserted and forsaken..." (p. 52)
"We must watch over our mind, our heart and our senses, for these are the gates by which the Devil enters in." (p. 55)
"It is God's will that on Sundays we should occupy ourselves only with what has to do with his service and the salvation of our soul. By doing so, we draw down blessings on our work during the week." (p. 56)
"Those who love riches or pleasure offer God nothing but the languid remains of a heart worn out in the service of the world." (p. 56)
"It is impossible to meditate with devotion upon the Mysteries of the Rosary and live in a state of sin." (p. 59)
"Worldly people say it is too difficult to save one's soul. Yet nothing is easier. To observe the Commandments of God and the Church and to do good and avoid evil; that is all." (p. 61)
"Do not try to please everybody. Try to please God, the angels, and the saints - they are your public." (p. 64)
"A saint has told us that one day at Mass he saw Jesus Christ with his hands full of gifts, looking for souls to whom he might give them." (p. 65)
"'M. le Cure,' his missionary said to him one day, 'if God were to give you your choice of going directly to Heaven, or remaining on earth to labor for the conversion of sinners, what would you do?' 'I think I would remain here.' 'Oh! M. le Cure, is it possible? The saints are so happy in Heaven!' 'That is true, but they can no longer glorify God, as we can, by sacrifices for the salvation of souls.'" (p. 66)
"In Heaven, God will place us as an architect places the stones in a building -- each in the place fitted for it." (p. 68)
"My child, we must not be afraid of doing good, even if it costs us something." (p. 69)
"When we do some act of charity, let us direct our intention by saying: 'My God, receive this gift or this service I am about to render, in prayer for such and such a grace.'" (p. 72)
"The Passion of Our Lord is like a great river that flows down from a mountain and is never exhausted." (p. 74)
"Worldly people have not the Holy Spirit, or if they have, it is only for a moment. The noise of the world drives him away." (p. 76)
"Nothing is harder to bear than those things which wound our self-love; but if we thought of the humiliations suffered by Jesus Christ at Bethlehem, should we ever dare to complain?" (p. 76-77)
"God wills that we should work today and tomorrow; and after that, an eternity of joy, of happiness, awaits us in Heaven..." (p. 77)
September 19, 2020
Outstanding
This work is pure gold! Everyone should read and re read this most amazing work. I highly recommend this book!
This work is pure gold! Everyone should read and re read this most amazing work. I highly recommend this book!
December 6, 2019
87/100 (= 5.1/6) ≈ 5 Stars
September 5, 2020
Excellent
A beautiful collection of sayings of the saints. Uplifting to the heart and soul. It is extensive in the authors presented
A beautiful collection of sayings of the saints. Uplifting to the heart and soul. It is extensive in the authors presented
Displaying 1 - 7 of 7 reviews