An anecdote from the life of John Maria Vianney`````````````````````````````````````````
When Brother John Vianney was called by the Rector of the Major Seminary to inform him of the report he received from the professors regarding whether he could be promoted to the sacrament of Priesthood, the Rector was very nervous and perplexed in communicating the message. But he had no other choice. He said: " John Vianney, the professors do not find you fit for sacred ordination to priesthood. Some of them have called you an ass knowing nothing of theology. How can we promote you to the reception of the sacrament of priesthood."
Brother Vianney was not perplexed at all. He replied: "Father Rector, in the book of Judges, Chapter 15, we have the narration of how God made use of Samson to kill thousand Philistines with the jawbone of an ass to save the people of Israel. If with the useless jawbone of an ass God could do that wonderful deed, how much more can he accomplish with the whole of an ass like me."
On hearing this answer from John Vianney, his Rector indeed felt very light and joyful and he had no difficulty whatsoever in promoting him to the Sacred Ordination to priesthood.
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Saint John Baptist Maria Vianney , 1786-1859, French parish priest, popularly known as the Curé d'Ars, born in Dardilly, near Lyons. He came of poor, peasant stock and received scant education until, as a youth, he struggled through the seminary. As a young curé he was sent to the little village of Ars. Vianney found that the people there had lost their faith, and he vowed to make the community "the property of God." He beautified the church, lived like the poorest of the poor, and fasted and prayed for the people. His skill as a confessor drew people from outside his parish, and neighboring priests complained and sought to have him removed. Vianney himself signed their petitions. He began an orphanage for girls that served as a model throughout France. Many miracles were attributed to him during his lifetime, and in his last years thousands from all over France came annually to meet him and be consoled.
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