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El Cura de Ars: El atractivo de un alma pura
"Desde el seminario quedé impresionado por la figura del Cura de Ars, sobre todo, por la lectura de su biografía, escrita por Monseñor Trochu". Juan Pablo II
672 pages, Paperback
First published January 1, 1928
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286 people want to read
About the author
François Trochu
21 books5 followersAbbe Francois Trochu is the author of the biographies The Cure d Ars: St. Jean-Marie-Baptiste Vianney and St. Bernadette Soubirous. His work on the Cure d'Ars was originally published in 1927 by Burns Oates and Washbourne. In this definitive biography, Abbe Trochu compiled a great number of extraordinary facts about the saint, based on his life and vocation. It was written using the records and documents of the Church as a guide, and presented with a vivid and accurate picture of one of the most beloved saints of the eighteenth and nineteenth centuries.
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Displaying 1 - 30 of 40 reviews
September 6, 2020
It's a shame that the first thing I heard about St. John Vianney was that he was a terrible student who ended up being a pilgrimage destination in himself and the patron saint of parish priests. It really doesn't do him justice, nor does it reveal the outpouring of God's grace into the world through the humblest of figures. That is what is exceptionally significant about St. John Vianney. He is the epitome of God's tendency to use the weak to shame the strong. He was so small, so academically un-gifted (but clearly not unintelligent by any stretch of the imagnination), placed in such an insignificant parish. But he was open to doing the will of God alone, and epitomized the self-emptying of Christ on the Cross, the subordination of ego to God. By making himself small (or rather letting God make him small), John Vianney was able to reflect as perfectly as any creature can the infinite mercy, love, and compassion of the Good God.
This book is remarkable for its research. Everyone who knew John Vianney also knew he was certainly a saint, and so his life was well documented and recorded by those who knew him. Every single anecdote is referenced, and the book owes its length to the number of recorded stories of the Saints' holiness. It is a beautiful book about the wonders and mercies God works in His creation, and everyone should take the time to read it (even if very slowly, for it is quite exhaustive).
This book is remarkable for its research. Everyone who knew John Vianney also knew he was certainly a saint, and so his life was well documented and recorded by those who knew him. Every single anecdote is referenced, and the book owes its length to the number of recorded stories of the Saints' holiness. It is a beautiful book about the wonders and mercies God works in His creation, and everyone should take the time to read it (even if very slowly, for it is quite exhaustive).
August 9, 2018
This was the first saint story that I ever read, and I read it in college. Why would a college student pick up such a tome? Thankfully, I had a connection to the author's last name. This is the amazing story of St. Jean Vianney, the first parish priest canonized a saint. It is thorough and detailed. I can still remember marveling that he survived on merely a boiled potato to eat each day, that he spent up to 18 hours in the confessional each day, and that he was physically attacked by the devil at night. I remember cowering under the covers in bed at night as I read that part. I followed that up by begging God to not ask such sacrifices of me or to ask me to suffer such attacks. I was and still am pretty sure that I am too faint-of-heart for the ramifications of such heroic love of God. I am so thankful that the Cure of Ars was not deterred by these sacrifices! It reminds me of the quote attributed to St. Teresa of Avila: "If this is how You treat Your friends, no wonder why You have so few of them!"
College was many years ago, and there have been many, many read-and-forgotten books since then. For a me to retain so many vivid memories from a book is a sign of a very impressive book. I recommend it to anyone interested in the Cure d'Ars, holiness, conversion, history, and the love of God.
College was many years ago, and there have been many, many read-and-forgotten books since then. For a me to retain so many vivid memories from a book is a sign of a very impressive book. I recommend it to anyone interested in the Cure d'Ars, holiness, conversion, history, and the love of God.
December 21, 2023
This book is a treasure. I savored it for many months as it was deep; I chose not to rush through it. I am left with tranquility and peace as only one gets in the presence of "the holy." I am grateful for God's gift of Saint Jean-Marie Baptiste Vianney to the world. I have a new heavenly friend. Pax Christi.
July 25, 2019
Probably one of my favorite books that I've read on a Saint. Everyone who wants an idea of what sanctity looks like, should read this book. It will give you hope and inspire you to be strong in the faith.
March 8, 2025
This is one of the greatest saint's biographies of all time. Many things combine to yield the ideal biography. Firstly, a recent saint whose actions and words were watched and recorded for about 40 years. Secondly, a meticulous canonization process that interviewed many eyewitnesses of the saint's life. Thirdly, a meticulous researcher, a good storyteller, an organized and gifted author brings the saint to life in a thorough and page-turning biography.
March 10, 2021
This is an awesome account of the life of the Cure D'Ars. I have been so inspired by his humility and meekness. I love having a book that inspires so much love and piety.
September 17, 2018
Hagiography (the lives of saints) is not my thing, but this book was lent to me by a French friend, to whom it was very important, and I persevered with it out of respect for him. At some point during the course of the book I e-mailed another French friend about it and checked on Google that “hagiography” is indeed “hagiographie” in French. The interesting thing here is that Google came up with the following:
“In spite of its unreliability as a factual source for specific information about individual saints . . . hagiography supplies us with a rich source of information about (medieval) social and philosophical attitudes.”
This proved to be the case, at least in the first part of the book. I was (at the same time) also re-reading Hugo’s “Les Misérables”, and realised that the priest in the village of Ars was more or less a contemporary of Hugo’s bishop, on whose goodness the story of “Les Misérables” hinges. I had just read the passage about the fictional bishop meeting with the former “Conventionalist” on the latter’s deathbed, and came to a greater understanding of this passage after reading in the historical account of just how priests were persecuted by members of the Convention following the French Revolution. I also better appreciated the impact of Hugo’s humanitarianism in describing the life of his bishop; the reality, as described in the life of the saint, was centred rather more on strictly observed Roman Catholic doctrine. Yes, Hugo’s monseigneur Bienvenu, in his moment of sublime grace (no spoilers, read the book!) saves the soul of the protagonist; but le Curé d’Ars pursues the same goal by means of personal austerity and self-denial, not to mention self-mortification and fairly wide-spread condemnation, at least in his early years as a priest, of the little community in which he found himself.
Le Curé d’Ars, whose name was Jean-Marie-Baptiste Vianney, was of farming stock and took very hard to the studies required to become a priest, struggling especially with the Latin. In his childhood the saying of the mass was forbidden, and this perhaps contributed to his extreme ardour in all matters religious. He was called up to serve in the Napoleonic Wars; it was interesting to learn that it was quite acceptable, and permitted legally, to pay someone to take your place – this was what his father did for Jean-Marie, except that it didn’t work out. He ended up deserting by accident, due to ill health caused by extreme fasting. The attitude to desertion in those wars was quite different to what might have been ours, say, in the world wars of the twentieth century. The young man hid out for a while, teaching in a village school, but eventually found his way into the priesthood. My friend loves the part where he is walking to his new parish, but loses the way; he asks some children herding sheep and one of them sets him on the right path. He tells the child, “You have shown me the way to the village; I will show you the way to heaven.”
He stayed in the village of Ars for over forty years. I’ve probably written quite enough about this book now, as, if I start writing about the huge numbers of pilgrims that turned the place into a sort of Lourdes, I’ll just get cynical, and I don’t want to do that. It was my choice to stick with the book, and it did make me reflect on a number of aspects of faith, theology and humanity. Being told how perfect someone is doesn’t make you like them, so it was near the end of the book before I felt compassion for this person who, in the last years of his life, had become a victim of the thousands of pilgrims who, basically, didn’t know how to behave and might have given him a bit of peace. One scene that I found very striking was the last of the three occasions when he tried to leave the village. By the third attempt he was sixty-eight years old and was forcibly prevented from leaving, by his devout followers. It was a fairly heart-rending account of a frail old man subjected to emotional and spiritual blackmail, not to mention physical manhandling. Yes, they were worried about him walking off in the middle of the night with no food in his stomach, but also, what about all those little medallions and souvenirs that he had to bless, and the numbers of pilgrims that brought in a nice tidy sum to the village?
I am too much of a cynic to read hagiography and am looking forward to returning to Hugo, with his glorious burst of humanity in the face of what was, for the poor, an earthly hell. After the Curé d’Ars died, they all started quarrelling over his remains, so, would someone like to tell me, what had they learned? I’m giving this book two stars for historical and social interest and for provoking a reaction in me to ideas I found quite alien.
“In spite of its unreliability as a factual source for specific information about individual saints . . . hagiography supplies us with a rich source of information about (medieval) social and philosophical attitudes.”
This proved to be the case, at least in the first part of the book. I was (at the same time) also re-reading Hugo’s “Les Misérables”, and realised that the priest in the village of Ars was more or less a contemporary of Hugo’s bishop, on whose goodness the story of “Les Misérables” hinges. I had just read the passage about the fictional bishop meeting with the former “Conventionalist” on the latter’s deathbed, and came to a greater understanding of this passage after reading in the historical account of just how priests were persecuted by members of the Convention following the French Revolution. I also better appreciated the impact of Hugo’s humanitarianism in describing the life of his bishop; the reality, as described in the life of the saint, was centred rather more on strictly observed Roman Catholic doctrine. Yes, Hugo’s monseigneur Bienvenu, in his moment of sublime grace (no spoilers, read the book!) saves the soul of the protagonist; but le Curé d’Ars pursues the same goal by means of personal austerity and self-denial, not to mention self-mortification and fairly wide-spread condemnation, at least in his early years as a priest, of the little community in which he found himself.
Le Curé d’Ars, whose name was Jean-Marie-Baptiste Vianney, was of farming stock and took very hard to the studies required to become a priest, struggling especially with the Latin. In his childhood the saying of the mass was forbidden, and this perhaps contributed to his extreme ardour in all matters religious. He was called up to serve in the Napoleonic Wars; it was interesting to learn that it was quite acceptable, and permitted legally, to pay someone to take your place – this was what his father did for Jean-Marie, except that it didn’t work out. He ended up deserting by accident, due to ill health caused by extreme fasting. The attitude to desertion in those wars was quite different to what might have been ours, say, in the world wars of the twentieth century. The young man hid out for a while, teaching in a village school, but eventually found his way into the priesthood. My friend loves the part where he is walking to his new parish, but loses the way; he asks some children herding sheep and one of them sets him on the right path. He tells the child, “You have shown me the way to the village; I will show you the way to heaven.”
He stayed in the village of Ars for over forty years. I’ve probably written quite enough about this book now, as, if I start writing about the huge numbers of pilgrims that turned the place into a sort of Lourdes, I’ll just get cynical, and I don’t want to do that. It was my choice to stick with the book, and it did make me reflect on a number of aspects of faith, theology and humanity. Being told how perfect someone is doesn’t make you like them, so it was near the end of the book before I felt compassion for this person who, in the last years of his life, had become a victim of the thousands of pilgrims who, basically, didn’t know how to behave and might have given him a bit of peace. One scene that I found very striking was the last of the three occasions when he tried to leave the village. By the third attempt he was sixty-eight years old and was forcibly prevented from leaving, by his devout followers. It was a fairly heart-rending account of a frail old man subjected to emotional and spiritual blackmail, not to mention physical manhandling. Yes, they were worried about him walking off in the middle of the night with no food in his stomach, but also, what about all those little medallions and souvenirs that he had to bless, and the numbers of pilgrims that brought in a nice tidy sum to the village?
I am too much of a cynic to read hagiography and am looking forward to returning to Hugo, with his glorious burst of humanity in the face of what was, for the poor, an earthly hell. After the Curé d’Ars died, they all started quarrelling over his remains, so, would someone like to tell me, what had they learned? I’m giving this book two stars for historical and social interest and for provoking a reaction in me to ideas I found quite alien.
April 21, 2014
"Excellent" barely does this book justice in its depiction of of the Cure D'Ars, St. John Vianney. I read this book very slowly as spiritual reading over the last few months, and I have not only a better understanding of the saint but also a far deeper devotion to him. By grounding himself in first hand testimony on St. John Vianney, Trochu avoids a number of errors that usually haunt biographers of saints, e.g. a naive piety that prevents them from naming the saint's faults. As Trochu records, it was not the physical and psychological demands of hearing confessions that constituted Vianney's crucible. No, it was the saint's uncertainty of his worthiness to even be a parish priest. For over twenty years, St. John Vianney petitioned his bishop to release him from his assignment so that he could merely pray and offer Mass for his "poor soul!" I have been much edified by Vianney's life through this book, and I think almost anyone would be too. St. John Vianney, pray for us!
April 30, 2025
Fantastic biography and overview of this great saint's life and works. Very much captures the kind of person he was, his holiness, and the great impact he had on countless people's lives. I appreciated the thoroughness of reports and commitment to accuracy. The author would often dismiss certain legends that have cropped up over time.
The only thing keeping it from a 5-star is it's cumbersome prose, as well as not infrequent typos and grammar mistakes.
The only thing keeping it from a 5-star is it's cumbersome prose, as well as not infrequent typos and grammar mistakes.
March 10, 2019
This is probably one of the very few comprehensive biographies on a saint one will ever find.
It's an excellent book, and I learned so much about St. Jean-Marie Vianney...and could have actually read more. He may be the patron saint of parish priests, but...he could literally be the patron saint of anyone...striving for holiness. He's an absolute perfect example of all virtues we should pray to obtain.
The book I believe is 627 pages. It's a THICK book.
The book itself took me a long time to get through; it was dry in some areas - and some material could have (possibly) been taken out.
The book is heavily based on accounts of others. St. Jean-Marie Vianney's humility, cost us to know him by his own words. He wasn't open to sharing much about himself as well as even his own image. I'm not sure why even the Bishop didn't order him to keep at least a diary or even take one picture while he was alive. Nonetheless, we (faithful) were robbed of that.
I cried at least 3 times reading this book and although the book was about St. Jean-Marie, I wish more was shared about Fr. Balley, who played a pivotal role in St. Vianney's life.
He transformed a no-nothing village, whose inhabitants didn't practice the faith, but a few of them. In all honesty, I'm sure this was also due to the fact, that it was not a village of importance to the diocese to send a priest there...it was not a desirable place for any priest to even volunteer to go to. After many years of penance and mortification, the once undesirable village, became a place of pilgrimage where people from all over came to visit and go to confession to the Saint.
Countless souls were saved.
St. Jean-Marie Vianney was a LIVING example of how to grow in holiness. I pray we receive more priests like him.
I highly recommend this book.
It's an excellent book, and I learned so much about St. Jean-Marie Vianney...and could have actually read more. He may be the patron saint of parish priests, but...he could literally be the patron saint of anyone...striving for holiness. He's an absolute perfect example of all virtues we should pray to obtain.
The book I believe is 627 pages. It's a THICK book.
The book itself took me a long time to get through; it was dry in some areas - and some material could have (possibly) been taken out.
The book is heavily based on accounts of others. St. Jean-Marie Vianney's humility, cost us to know him by his own words. He wasn't open to sharing much about himself as well as even his own image. I'm not sure why even the Bishop didn't order him to keep at least a diary or even take one picture while he was alive. Nonetheless, we (faithful) were robbed of that.
I cried at least 3 times reading this book and although the book was about St. Jean-Marie, I wish more was shared about Fr. Balley, who played a pivotal role in St. Vianney's life.
He transformed a no-nothing village, whose inhabitants didn't practice the faith, but a few of them. In all honesty, I'm sure this was also due to the fact, that it was not a village of importance to the diocese to send a priest there...it was not a desirable place for any priest to even volunteer to go to. After many years of penance and mortification, the once undesirable village, became a place of pilgrimage where people from all over came to visit and go to confession to the Saint.
Countless souls were saved.
St. Jean-Marie Vianney was a LIVING example of how to grow in holiness. I pray we receive more priests like him.
I highly recommend this book.
May 15, 2023
This is THE book to read on St. John Vianney. It summarizes his life based on the official testimony from the canonization process, which took over a decade and were very thorough.
Reading this book I saw why he is so revered and loved. Not only the true miracles of prophecy in the confessional, literally fighting with Satan at night, or his intense fasting and asceticism, but stories which show his real humanity and tender love for his parishioners and their filial love for him. Also the tender and fragile moments in his early seminary days when he struggled to learn Latin and was almost let go.
As a priest, as a Christian - When was he gentle? When was he firm? How did he correct people? How did he evangelize? These kinds of questions will lead the reader to an illuminating role model fully human yet living a true dependence on the Holy Spirit, unmistakably! He truly was another Christ on this earth. People came from all over the world just for a word, a touch, and healings, miracles, and conversions happened just like in Christ’s life. Only 180ish years ago! In recent history.
-1 star for being a little verbose and it trudging along at times. It seems like the author tries to present as many stories as possible, which sometimes is just a bit too much. But overall well worth reading, especially for seminarians and parish priests to learn in-depth about their awesome patron.
Reading this book I saw why he is so revered and loved. Not only the true miracles of prophecy in the confessional, literally fighting with Satan at night, or his intense fasting and asceticism, but stories which show his real humanity and tender love for his parishioners and their filial love for him. Also the tender and fragile moments in his early seminary days when he struggled to learn Latin and was almost let go.
As a priest, as a Christian - When was he gentle? When was he firm? How did he correct people? How did he evangelize? These kinds of questions will lead the reader to an illuminating role model fully human yet living a true dependence on the Holy Spirit, unmistakably! He truly was another Christ on this earth. People came from all over the world just for a word, a touch, and healings, miracles, and conversions happened just like in Christ’s life. Only 180ish years ago! In recent history.
-1 star for being a little verbose and it trudging along at times. It seems like the author tries to present as many stories as possible, which sometimes is just a bit too much. But overall well worth reading, especially for seminarians and parish priests to learn in-depth about their awesome patron.
December 14, 2016
Terminé de leer la extensa y excelente biografía, muy documentada por cierto, del santo Cura de Ars San Juan María Vianney. Lejos de beaterías extravagantes o piadosas exageraciones, me encuentro con una biografía objetiva, un mesurado, inspirador y edificante retrato del santo, basado en los testimonios aportados en la causa de su canonización. El santo es el hombre más coherente sobre la faz de esta tierra, el héroe en la práctica de las virtudes cristianas que con su irreprochable ejemplo, a pesar de las persecuciones de los envidiosos enemigos, tanto externos como internos, arrastra a muchos cristianos a seguirle en el combate por la vida de santidad. Un ejemplo y un testimonio de la vida sacerdotal, abnegada y totalmente entregada a la salvación de las almas.
Ni siquiera el ateísmo más recalcitrante podría refutar la existencia de este gran varón que ha dado un constante testimonio de la Verdad católica.
Ni siquiera el ateísmo más recalcitrante podría refutar la existencia de este gran varón que ha dado un constante testimonio de la Verdad católica.
December 28, 2020
No voy a decir mucho, sólo que me encanto. Las vidas de los Santos son un gran ejemplo para todos y, sobre todo, un recordatorio de la lucha por vivir heroicamente.
Podrá ser un gran reto igualar al Cura de Ars, pero, es un buen camino por el que dirigirnos. Alguien tan sencillo nos da esperanzas. El que pone todo de su parte y se deja en brazos de Dios, grandes cosas se pueden acometer. Busca a Dios y el pondrá lo que falte.
Podrá ser un gran reto igualar al Cura de Ars, pero, es un buen camino por el que dirigirnos. Alguien tan sencillo nos da esperanzas. El que pone todo de su parte y se deja en brazos de Dios, grandes cosas se pueden acometer. Busca a Dios y el pondrá lo que falte.
February 4, 2021
Sin duda no esperaba que esta biografía me impactara tanto y, me atrevo a decir, que no pude leerla en mejor momento. En verdad estoy feliz de que esta haya sido la recomendación del mes de mi mamá, pues me hizo darme cuenta y evaluar varios aspectos de mi vida que tenía un poquitín olvidados... ¡No se sorprendan si en el futuro cercano tengo más lecturas como esta!
July 21, 2024
A VERY INSIGHTFUL BIOGRAPHY OF A 19TH CENTURY FIGURE
Jean-Baptiste-Marie Vianney (1786-1859) was a French Catholic parish priest who is venerated as the patron saint of all priests. He is often referred to as the "Curé d'Ars" (a "Curé" is a parish priest in France; Ars was a small town with a population of 230). He became known for his saintly life (in France, in the aftermath of the French Revolution), spending up to 17 hours a day hearing confessions, etc. Some of his sermons are available in Sermons of The Cure of Ars.
Of his youth, biographer Francis Trochu wrote, "The twenty-year old schoolboy stayed on at Ecully. Nevertheless, since he did not dare to hope anything more of his 'horrible head,' as he called his memory, he flung himself even more passionately into prayer." (Pg. 21)
He describes the chains with which "night after night the Abbe Vianney would flagellate himself, sometimes to the point of losing consciousness... blood stained the hands of the ascetic, whose prints can still be seen, how blood flowed from the ravaged shoulder with which he leaned against the wall... Here was the price of souls." (Pg. 54) Later, he added, "he was continuing, in the secret of his room, to scourge himself for the good of souls. Only God knows how many disciplines he used on his macerated flesh." (Pg. 176)
The Curé said that priesthood "is the love of the heart of Jesus. When you see a priest, think of our Lord Jesus Christ." (Pg. 119) He referred to dancing as "the cord by which the devil drags the greater part of his soul to hell." (Pg. 61) The biographer notes that "It was the will of God that his sanctity should be proclaimed during his life by a whole series of miracles." (Pg. 180)
This is a fascinating and very revealing biography of a figure that is often ignored by all but very traditional Catholics, nowadays, but who had a tremendous influence in his time.
Jean-Baptiste-Marie Vianney (1786-1859) was a French Catholic parish priest who is venerated as the patron saint of all priests. He is often referred to as the "Curé d'Ars" (a "Curé" is a parish priest in France; Ars was a small town with a population of 230). He became known for his saintly life (in France, in the aftermath of the French Revolution), spending up to 17 hours a day hearing confessions, etc. Some of his sermons are available in Sermons of The Cure of Ars.
Of his youth, biographer Francis Trochu wrote, "The twenty-year old schoolboy stayed on at Ecully. Nevertheless, since he did not dare to hope anything more of his 'horrible head,' as he called his memory, he flung himself even more passionately into prayer." (Pg. 21)
He describes the chains with which "night after night the Abbe Vianney would flagellate himself, sometimes to the point of losing consciousness... blood stained the hands of the ascetic, whose prints can still be seen, how blood flowed from the ravaged shoulder with which he leaned against the wall... Here was the price of souls." (Pg. 54) Later, he added, "he was continuing, in the secret of his room, to scourge himself for the good of souls. Only God knows how many disciplines he used on his macerated flesh." (Pg. 176)
The Curé said that priesthood "is the love of the heart of Jesus. When you see a priest, think of our Lord Jesus Christ." (Pg. 119) He referred to dancing as "the cord by which the devil drags the greater part of his soul to hell." (Pg. 61) The biographer notes that "It was the will of God that his sanctity should be proclaimed during his life by a whole series of miracles." (Pg. 180)
This is a fascinating and very revealing biography of a figure that is often ignored by all but very traditional Catholics, nowadays, but who had a tremendous influence in his time.
September 12, 2021
I have heard about the St. John Vianney for many years. I knew a little about him, knew he had to be amazing to have been declared a Saint.
This book was such an amazing and detailed look into the life of this amazing Saint. From the beginning of his life to his death, St. John Vianney was so in awe of and loved so deeply our Lord that it consumed him and everything he did.
He was concerned with the salvation of souls and getting people to change their lives. The stories of the steps he took to bring about that change are amazing.
At times, this book could be long and very detailed, it took me a couple of months to get through because of the chapter lengths. However, the things I learned about the Catholic faith and in particular one parish priest were so very fascinating to me. What a gift he was to those around him.
I highly recommend this book to those that want to learn more about this Saint. The long chapters and numerous people to keep straight are far outweighed by the stories told.
This book was such an amazing and detailed look into the life of this amazing Saint. From the beginning of his life to his death, St. John Vianney was so in awe of and loved so deeply our Lord that it consumed him and everything he did.
He was concerned with the salvation of souls and getting people to change their lives. The stories of the steps he took to bring about that change are amazing.
At times, this book could be long and very detailed, it took me a couple of months to get through because of the chapter lengths. However, the things I learned about the Catholic faith and in particular one parish priest were so very fascinating to me. What a gift he was to those around him.
I highly recommend this book to those that want to learn more about this Saint. The long chapters and numerous people to keep straight are far outweighed by the stories told.
June 5, 2020
Seguire gli insegnamenti del Curato d'Ars è un modo sicuro per giungere alla meta. La ricchezza spirituale di questo santo è un esempio non solo per tutti i sacerdoti, ma anche per tutti i laici che desiderano imparare a mettere Dio al primo posto.
San Giovanni Maria Vianney è di una semplicità disarmante, una semplicità limpida e bellissima che commuove. Leggere la sua vita è leggere Dio in azione.
Di una famiglia povera, poco portato per lo studio, ignorante agli occhi del mondo eppure così intriso della Sapienza di Dio!
Questo libro è una lettura molto edificante ed il miglior strumento per conoscere al meglio il caro Curato d'Ars.
San Giovanni Maria Vianney è di una semplicità disarmante, una semplicità limpida e bellissima che commuove. Leggere la sua vita è leggere Dio in azione.
Di una famiglia povera, poco portato per lo studio, ignorante agli occhi del mondo eppure così intriso della Sapienza di Dio!
Questo libro è una lettura molto edificante ed il miglior strumento per conoscere al meglio il caro Curato d'Ars.
November 13, 2025
Transmite con acierto la grandeza y profundidad de la santidad del Cura de Ars, incluyendo cientos de anécdotas y testimonios recogidos durante su proceso de beatificación y canonización. El modo de presentar algunos episodios sigue los cánones clásicos de la hagiografía, lo que puede dificultar que el lector se identifique fácilmente con el protagonista.
May 5, 2024
O Santo Cura D'Ars parece nada ter reservado para si, tendo-se oferecido por completo ao serviço de Deus e das almas sem qualquer ponta de amargura que poderia resultar de uma vida tão espartana e tão dura. Uma vida extraordinária e difícil de compreender aos olhos de hoje.
February 8, 2020
Emocionante! Leitura que muda a vida.
July 14, 2024
Sensacional! “Obrigação” de todo católico ler este livro!
February 27, 2025
Leí este libro con motivo de la peregrinación que hicimos a Ars y así conocer un poco a San Juan María Vianney. Un Santo tan sencillo y al mismo tiempo tan extraordinario.
November 9, 2023
This is an amazing, detailed book about a saint I always admired but didn't realize I fundamentally misunderstood. Now that I know so much about him I am in awe of his devotion.
August 26, 2025
Probablemente la vida del santo que más impacto ha tenido en mí.
March 5, 2021
Extraordinaria biografía de Juan Bautista María Vianney, también conocido como el Cura de Ars.
La narración es muy entretenida sin perder profundidad. El autor ha conseguido el difícil logro de conservar la disciplina documental pero manteniendo un estilo ágil y entrenido.
A través de estas páginas, vamos conociendo al Cura de Ars, compartiendo su aventura de amor por el Señor y por sus queridos feligreses. Conforme avanzamos en su vida vamos compartiendo el cariño y admiración que causó a los que tuvieron la suerte de conocerlo en vida.
A pesar de desarrollarse la mayor parte de su vida en el siglo XVIII, es, quizá más que nunca, un santo para nuestro tiempo. Incansable apostol de la confesión y de la mortificación, resulta relevante ante una sociedad que no cree en el pecado sino que afirma un relativismo absoluto. Ante un mundo que, en su gran mayoría, cree que la felicidad está en los placeres, el ejemplo de una felicidad por medio de la negación de si mismo resulta sumamente actual.
La narración es muy entretenida sin perder profundidad. El autor ha conseguido el difícil logro de conservar la disciplina documental pero manteniendo un estilo ágil y entrenido.
A través de estas páginas, vamos conociendo al Cura de Ars, compartiendo su aventura de amor por el Señor y por sus queridos feligreses. Conforme avanzamos en su vida vamos compartiendo el cariño y admiración que causó a los que tuvieron la suerte de conocerlo en vida.
A pesar de desarrollarse la mayor parte de su vida en el siglo XVIII, es, quizá más que nunca, un santo para nuestro tiempo. Incansable apostol de la confesión y de la mortificación, resulta relevante ante una sociedad que no cree en el pecado sino que afirma un relativismo absoluto. Ante un mundo que, en su gran mayoría, cree que la felicidad está en los placeres, el ejemplo de una felicidad por medio de la negación de si mismo resulta sumamente actual.
April 4, 2015
A fantastic read of the life of one of the most difficult saints to understand. How St. Jean Vianney received his personal vocation and lived it so fully in his spirituality is hard to fathom. How frustrating it is to want to imitate him and realize that it would be impossible - he was truly endowed with unique grace from God.
As a book, it admirably toes the line between history and theology. It does an excellent job of pulling quotes from people who knew him personally and attempting to identify what popular piety "mythologized" without becoming mundane and lacking spiritual depth.
I pray to be able to visit Ars one day, and I know that anything that I see and hear while I am there will be greatly enhanced because I read this book and learned about the life and love of this saint.
As a book, it admirably toes the line between history and theology. It does an excellent job of pulling quotes from people who knew him personally and attempting to identify what popular piety "mythologized" without becoming mundane and lacking spiritual depth.
I pray to be able to visit Ars one day, and I know that anything that I see and hear while I am there will be greatly enhanced because I read this book and learned about the life and love of this saint.
July 12, 2014
Comprehensive, masterful account of the astonishing story of the holy priest of Ars ... I have a much longer review here with long, beautiful excerpts from this classic 19th century book:
http://corjesusacratissimum.org/2011/...
http://corjesusacratissimum.org/2011/...
Want to read
July 6, 2019Extensa biografía (669 pp.), con numerosas referencias al proceso de canonización. Estilo sobrio, lenguaje preciso, descripción del marco ambiental en que se desarrolló la vida del Cura de Ars. El autor resalta la lucha ascética del santo para vencer las imperfecciones y debilidades. Conviene advertir que el modo de vivir algunas virtudes dista mucho de un espíritu laical.
December 5, 2024
We are so blessed to have the example of St John in our world. It’s impossible to follow in his footsteps without the aid of God Himself, but a fascinating story to dive into. This bio is not the smoothest read, every chapter had endless examples of whatever the subject was. Glad to have read it though!
April 5, 2021
Una biografía de un gran santo. Tal vez en ocasiones algo desordenada. Sirve para entender muy bien el sacrificio de personas que viven y mueren durante muchos años en el mismo sitio sin brillo aparente.
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