Milton Lomask contributes his second volume to the Vision Books series of saints for youth 9 - 15 years old in this story of the greatly beloved Cure of Ars. Jean-Marie Vianney, a farm boy born during the French Revolution, longed to become a priest. But he could not learn Latin, and it seemed as if the humble, lovable, slow-thinking Jean-Marie would never be ordained. He did at last become a priest, and such a holy one that St. Jean-Marie Vianney is invoked as the patron saint and model of parish priests everywhere. To many he is known, not by name, but simply as "the Cure of Ars, " the parish priest who devoted his life to the little village of Ars and so successfully led his people to sanctity that he became a prime target of the devil.
Raised in Maquoketa, Iowa, Milton Nachman Lomask earned a BA in journalism at the University of Iowa. After working in a succession of newspaper jobs in Texas, St. Louis, New York City and Chicago, he earned an MA degree at Northwestern University in 1941. Lomask served in the United States Army's Chemical Warfare Service during World War II, after which he worked in advertising and publicity before quitting in 1950 to work full-time as a writer.
Found this in my brother’s closet. About halfway through I realized it was for 9-15 year olds. Loved it though! I could crush 10 of these kids saint stories a week.
This was a great book about St. John Vianney. While the audience is clearly younger readers (middle grade, even early high school), I think that adults and even younger readers (with the guidance of an adult) can really enjoy this book. There are lots of important lessons and interesting stories about one of my favorite saints. Highly recommend.