Life of St John Vianney.pdf - the Catholic Kingdom!

""60 THE CUR OF ARS.glory of God by the salvation of tlie souls there committedto his care."Ever distrustfulof himself, M. Vianney would frequently call some of the neighbouring priests to his aid,and on these occasions the Divine blessing rested no lesson their labours than on his humility.I believe," says Catherine, in her notes of this period,"that it is impossible to calculate the number of the conversions which M. le Cure obtained at the time of theJubilee by the prayers, and above all by the Masses, whichhe offered for his parishioners. There was such a renewalof fervour that almost all set to work with their wholemight to free themselves from their sins. Human respectwas turned the other way. Though M. le Cure had engaged another priest to help him, almost all chose to goto confession to their own pastor. In the sermon whichhe preached at the close of the exercises, M. le Cure wasable to say,in the joy of his heart, My * brethren, Ars isno longer Ars. Not formany years past has so great achange taken place in this parish. I have assisted atmanymissions and jubilees, but never at one like this. It istrue,"adds Catherine,that this fervour has in some degree cooled, but our good God stillkeeps the upper hand.Religion is generally reverenced among us, and those whopractise it respected."Before the time when the influx of pilgrims made itimpossible for him to leave his post for a single night, MVianney frequently repaid the assistance afforded him bythe neighbouring priests on these occasions by undertakingthe care of their flocks in case of absence or sickness.In the beginning of the year 1823 he was called uponto take part in a mission given at Trevoux by the priestsof the Society of the Chartreux at Lyons. M. Vianney