The Heart of the Priesthood

"Private prayer is like straw scattered here and there: If you set it on fire it makes a lot of little flames. But gather these straws into a bundle and light them, and you get a mighty fire, rising like a column into the sky; public prayer is like that." -- St. John Vianney

They came in cars and vans, trains and planes, in buses and on bicycles--throngs of the Faithful gathered at the Cure d'Ars parish in Merrick, New York to honor St. John Vianney, patron saint of parish priests. Everywhere were God's own friends, holy sisters, donning the blue and white sari of Mother Teresa, black cassocked priests prostrate in prayer, wheelchair-bound grandfathers clutching the hands of children, pious women devotedly absorbed in their Beads, hospitable parishioners welcoming visitors with the warmth of a smile. As the children and I joined these good people in that holy place, the words of St. Peter rang out in my mind, "Lord, it is good that we are here." Mt. 17:4.

Canonized in 1925, St. John Vianney was proclaimed the patron saint of parish priests, a fitting tribute to a life of heroic priestly service. When his body was exhumed pending beatification, it was discovered miraculously incorrupt. His heart was removed and remains venerated as a holy relic. Brought here by the bishop of Ars-France to celebrate the 80th anniversary of the Cure d'Ars parish, the relic is a precious memorial of a great saint and an invitation to the Faithful to appreciate and encourage our priests.

Admittedly, I was a bit concerned about attempting the visit. My husband would not be able to join us, and, by all accounts, there were thousands flocking to this relatively small parish church. The weather had turned cool, and lines were reportedly quite long. A dear friend in touch by cell phone had waited over an hour just to enter the church, and it seemed likely that the crowds would only get larger in the early evening. The prospect of parking our unwieldy 12-passenger van in a crowded lot or perhaps crossing a busy street with my brood of young ones was daunting to say the least.

My mother kindly offered to make things easier by watching Maureen (2) and Patrick (4) at home. While this was an appealing idea, something told me I should bring Paddy along. After all, he is the only one of our children who might actually become a priest one day, and I did not want to miss this opportunity for one priestly heart to inspire another. I prayed to St. John Vianney to help us have a smooth and prayerful visit.

When we arrived in Merrick, I turned into the parking lot and thought for a moment we were in the wrong place. Although crowds were gathered in front of the church, plenty of spaces were available in the back, so many that I was able to choose the most advantageous one. My girls were quick to unfasten and hold hands with the little ones, and, before I knew it, the eight of us were proceeding round the side of the church in quite an orderly little jumble. Smiles were everywhere it seemed, smiles for baby Eileen asleep in her sling, smiles for Maureen cavorting near the steps, smiles for Patrick, his palms pressed together in prayer. I inquired as to where the end of the line might be found and was told (wonder of wonders), "There is no line. Go right in!"

As I struggled my way up the steps, a mother with a nine-month old reached out, and we two hefted the empty stroller together. She also had a brood of lovelies in tow, and a moment of understanding, good humor, and even something akin to friendship passed by way of our smiles.

The grand old church was dim, stained glass sparkling in the fading light. My children, impressed by the grace-filled atmosphere, were solemn. Even buoyant Patrick seemed subdued by the majesty of it all, his hands folded like a well-trained first communicant. Before long, we were close enough to see the heart in its golden case, artfully placed before the saint's beloved chalice. White plumed Knights of Columbus stood round with swords drawn, gallantly guarding the precious mementos. As we arrived in front, an usher invited us forward, thoughtfully ensuring that all eight of us could kneel together. We paused a while in prayer, thanking God for this great saint and asking St. John Vianney to bless our family and encourage priests throughout our diocese and the world.

Out of politeness to the procession of pilgrims behind us, we hurried along, not tarrying any longer than necessary. Moving to the right, we found ourselves face to face with the tabernacle. The children approached and knelt, unwittingly arranging themselves in size order. Agnes to the left, taller than me now, and Patrick to the right, still striving just to reach the rail. Our fellow pilgrims were filing reverently down the side aisles, leaving the children to bask in the most precious presence in the church, the One Who is "with [us] always, even until the end of the age." Mt. 28: 20.

Gazing upon my children lingering in prayer, I regretted my lack of a camera. Perhaps it was St. John Vianney or my guardian angel, but suddenly I recalled that my new cell phone takes pictures! Here is the blessed moment captured forever (Agnes, Theresa, Margaret, Marie, and Patrick):

Half an hour later, I was behind the wheel bound for home. We cruised along the familiar highway, and soon I recognized my exit, curving to the right. Maddeningly, it became clear a moment later that I had completely read the sign wrong. We were in fact nowhere near our exit and would need to turn around. Maneuvering a U-turn in a dark and desolate neighborhood park, I shook my head, griping to the girls that this was the most ridiculous and inexplicable mistake I had ever made. Within ten minutes or so, we were back on the highway and gasped to witness the immediate aftermath of an appalling accident, with a mangled car in flames and the first police sirens screaming out their shrill notes of dismay. Fervently praying for the victims, we wondered aloud if St. John Vianney had shepherded us to that early and fortunate exit. I like to think that he did.

*******

With our story told and gratitude for the gift of St. John Vianney, it seems fitting to punctuate this piece with his most beautiful words on the Blessed Sacrament:

"If we could comprehend all the good things contained in Holy Communion, nothing more would be wanting to content the heart of man. The miser would run no more after his treasures, or the ambitious after glory; each would shake off the dust of the earth, leave the world, and fly away towards heaven."

Comments

[Margaret in Minnesota]

Dearest Alice, my eyes are swelling with tears at the wonder and the beauty and the mystery of it all.

Our faith *is* mysterious, let there be no doubt. I am so thankful that you were spared this accident (car accidents are just plain horrible). I am also so blessed in this retelling of your family's pilgrimage.

Please, when you say a prayer for Patrick's vocation, include a prayer for my own two sons. I would be gladly give them both up to the priesthood. Knights in Christ's service!

Beautiful post.

[Kathryn]

Alice, what a treasure of a photo! I'm sure your children will remember that trip for ever.

[kristina]

Alice,
Thank you for sharing this beautiful story and photo. St. John Vianney's intercession and our Lord's providence are evident here. You were so wise to bring all of your children. This will be a special memory for them.

[Ana Braga-Henebry]

Alice, thank you for the most-positive comment on my little Monets. I came here to find more about you, and had no doubt we would have things in common: I too have seven children, drive a 12 passenger van, love the story of the Loretto staircase (and have visited it) and last but not least we have a nice print of the Cure of Ars brought by a French friend when he went to his shrine. Alas, I do not know how to operate the camera in my cell phone!

[Cheryl]

What a wonderful pilgrimage and such a beautiful photo of your children kneeling in prayers!

[Our Magnum Opus]

I am so thrilled for you that you got to go venerate the relic. How beautiful! The whole story is such an amazing gift of love.

[elizabeth]

What a beautiful post! Thanks so much for sharing it with us all.

[Sarah]

Alice,
This is so wonderful! Thanks you for sharing. St. John Marie Vianney is dear to us and I'm SURE he directed you from that accident.

[Katherine]

What an amazing post, Alice. Thanks for sharing these beautiful photos and this amazing story.

[Jennifer]

Wonderful story - I have tears in my eyes.

[Rebecca B.]

Alice, This is a beautiful post. I am so blessed to have read it.

[Lynn]

Wish very much myself and my little crew could have joined you all for such a wonderful pilgrimage!

Without a doubt, St. John Vianney not only directed you out of harms way but I think he also provided for the smoothness of your whole experience!

This post was my rejunvenator of spirit today - and I needed it :o)

[Cheryl]

This was a wonderful post. It was very educational for me. What wonderful children you have.

[Dawn]

Alice, my heart is in my throat. What a beautiful and memorable story. Bless you all.

[Karen E.]

Oh, Alice ... I just now read this, and am in tears. How beautiful, how *miraculous.* Yes, yes, I think you were shepherded that night, but I have no doubt that our Lord shepherds your every move.

[Jennifer in TX]

Alice,
Thank you for this beautiful post and tribute to the Cure. What a wonderful and blessed opportunity you had to venerate his relic; I know he protected you and your little ones...

[Janette]

What a beautiful story! I have no doubt that St. John Vianney was guiding you on your way.

[Jenn Miller]

This is just so beautiful! What an opportunity for your children. And Thank you St. John for protecting you on the way home!

[Jennifer]

What a memorable and beautiful post! Thank you for sharing!

[Amy]

Echoing the sentiments of everyone - Alice, you have such a way with words, and I am blessed to have been able to read the story you shared. Thank you!

[Meredith]

How incredible, dear Alice, your life is always amazing to me, you are so blessed and I am so blessed to have but a little glimpse, thanks for sharing this, what a treat! Hugs:)

[Theresa]

Wow! What an incredible day filled with the very real presence of Our Lord! How blessed you all are, and how blessed are we through your sharing!

[Heather]

Thank you for your wonderful words! Living on Long Island, I am sorry I did not take the time to go with my family. Thank you for sharing your experience and touching my heart.

[Jeannine]

Thank you for another beautiful reflection, Alice. Like Heather, I, too, regret that I did not take advantage of this rare opportunity. Your words, however, are so carefully chosen that I almost feel like I was there. Alice, two words come to mind when I read this...you are devout and undaunted. Thank you for your example.

[Rose]

What a beautiful story and beautiful photo!

[Suzanne]

I love St. John Vianney. Thanks for writing about this; it's a beautiful story. I absolutely adore the picture of your children in front of the Blessed Sacrament; so beautiful. Pray for us, St. John Vianney.