Gospel in Art: Saint John Mary Vianney, Priest

Jean-Marie-Baptiste Vianay, Curé d'Ars, 1860 Issued Paris, by Cereghetti & CF, Lithograph by de Becquet © Alamy

Source: Christian Art

Gospel of 4 August 2026
Matthew 9:35-10:1

At that time: Jesus went throughout all the cities and villages, teaching in their synagogues and proclaiming the gospel of the kingdom and healing every disease and every infirmity.

When he saw the crowds, he had compassion for them, because they were harassed and helpless, like sheep without a shepherd. Then he said to his disciples, 'The harvest is plentiful, but the labourers are few; therefore pray earnestly to the Lord of the harvest to send out labourers into his harvest.' And he called to him his twelve disciples and gave them authority over unclean spirits, to cast them out, and to heal every disease and every affliction.

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 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 very affectionate way of speaking about God. And God is indeed good, showering His grace and mercy upon us each one of us every day. Another favourite quote by St John I love is when he spoke about the Eucharist:

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

Our 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 and pastoral care.

Saint John Vianney - pray for us.

LINKS

Christian Art: www.christian.art
Today's image: https://christian.art/daily-gospel-reading/matthew-9-35-10-1-2026/