ST. JOHN VIANNEY - PART 4

“A Merchant does not consider the trouble he undergoes in his commerce, but the profit he gains by it.”  (The Cure of Ars in his Catechism)

In 1811 St. John returned home upon accepting the emperors’ amnesty and soon received the order of tonsure and began his novitiate year.  At the end of his novitiate year he was sent to Verrieres to begin his philosophy studies.  Again the saintly man proved to be a less than distinguished student but he plodded on and persevered in humility.  By the autumn of 1813 he was sent to the major seminary in Lyons.  Here in the major seminary John Vianney was confronted with his old nemesis, Latin, in the most insidious of ways for you see, all instructions and studies were in Latin.  His instructors saw in him the desire to persevere and they were keenly aware of his innate holiness so they decided upon allowing him the opportunity to prove himself.  He made absolutely no headway in his studies so much so that at the end of the first semester he left the seminary to receive private instructions from the Abbot M. Balley whom he befriended in Ecully at the “presbytery – school”.  He was tutored at Ecully for three months and then returned to Lyons where he presented himself for examination.  Again a less than stellar experience was to overcome him as he broke down in the midst of the examination and was unable to continue.  His examiners did not recommend him for ordination but they suggested he try another diocese.  The Butler Lives of Saints tells us most eloquently what happened next:

“Abbot Balley went off at once to see the Abbot Bochard, one of examiners, and he agreed to come with the rector of the seminary and interview Vianney privately.  After this interview, which was satisfactory, they went to put the case of “the most unlearned but the most devout seminarian in Lyons” before the vicar general, who was governing the diocese in the archbishop’s absence.  M. Courbon asked one question:  “Is M. Vianney good?”  “He is a model of goodness” was the reply.  “Very well.  Then let him be ordained.  The grace of God will do the rest.” (perhaps the Church needs more M. Courbons).  On July 2, 1814, John Mary Vianney received the minor orders and subdiaconate, and returned to Ecully to continue his studies with Abbot Balley.  In June 1815 he received the diaconate and on August 12 the priesthood.” 

St. John Vianney - Patron Saint of Parochial Clergy

St. John Vianney and His Studies Under The "Age of Enlightenment"

St. John Vianney - PART 3