Gospel in Art: Saint John Mary Vianney, Priest

Jean-Marie-Baptiste Vianney, Curé d'Ars, hand-coloured print © Alamy

Source: Christian Art

Gospel of 4 August 2025
Matthew 14:13-21

At that time: When Jesus heard of the death of John the Baptist, he withdrew in a boat to a desolate place by himself. But when the crowds heard it, they followed him on foot from the towns. When he went ashore he saw a great crowd, and he had compassion on them and healed their sick. Now when it was evening, the disciples came to him and said, 'This is a desolate place, and the day is now over; send the crowds away to go into the villages and buy food for themselves.' But Jesus said, 'They need not go away; you give them something to eat.' They said to him, 'We have only five loaves here and two fish.' And he said, 'Bring them here to me.' Then he ordered the crowds to sit down on the grass, and taking the five loaves and the two fish, he looked up to heaven and said a blessing. Then he broke the loaves and gave them to the disciples, and the disciples gave them to the crowds. And they all ate and were satisfied. And they took up twelve baskets full of the broken pieces left over. And those who ate were about five thousand men, besides women and children.

Reflection on the hand-coloured print

Today we celebrate the feast of St John Vianney (1786-1859), the patron saint of parish priests. Raised in the turbulent aftermath of the French Revolution, he received only a limited formal education. Due to the widespread anti-clericalism of the time, he had to make his First Communion and Confirmation in secret. During those years, he was deeply moved by the courage of priests and nuns who risked their lives to remain faithful. Their quiet heroism left a lasting impression on the young John.

After a brief and reluctant stint in Napoleon's army in 1809, he resumed his studies (though he struggled, particularly with Latin) and was eventually ordained. In 1818, he was sent to the tiny and spiritually neglected village of Ars, where he would remain for the rest of his life. Over time, his holiness, wisdom, and tireless dedication drew people from across France. By 1827, Ars had become one of the great pilgrimage destinations in Europe. Until his death, nearly 20,000 pilgrims visited each year, many seeking the sacrament of reconciliation. The holy Curé d'Ars would spend up to 15 hours a day in the confessional, guiding souls back to God. Today marks the anniversary of his death.

One of the little things I love most about St John Vianney is how he always referred to God as le Bon Dieu-the Good God. It's a simple yet profoundly affectionate way of speaking about the Lord. And God is indeed good, showering His grace and mercy upon us each one of us every day. St John once said of the Eucharist:

"There is nothing so great as the Eucharist.
If God had something more precious,
He would have given it to us."

This print is one of many devotional images produced in the 19th century in honour of our saint. Issued around 1860 and hand-coloured with care, it presents a central portrait of the saint framed by four smaller vignettes, each illustrating a key aspect of his holy life. In the top left, he is shown praying to Our Lady; in the bottom left, offering aid to the poor. The top right depicts him imploring God for the enlightenment of his flock, while in the bottom right, he is tenderly ministering to the dying. Together, these scenes offer a touching visual summary of a life poured out in prayer, service, and pastoral care.

Saint John Vianney - pray for us.

LINKS

Gospel in Art: https://christian.art/
Today's Reflection: https://christian.art/daily-gospel-reading/matthew-14-13-21-2025/