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Saint Jean-Marie Vianney, Curé of Ars, August 8

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Curé of Ars (1786–1859) Feast day on August 8. The whole world knows the seductive physiognomy of this humble priest, angel of patience, seraphim of love, emulator of St. John the Baptist in his frightful and continual austerities, a perfect model of pastors of souls. Ars, this monosyllable in Latin form, has become attached to the memory of Jean-Marie Vianney, like a title of nobility won on a battlefield. The "Curé d'Ars": these simple words are a description, a portrait, a lesson. The early years. — What a Christian mother can do. On May 8, 1786, a child was born at Dardilly, a large village opposite the hill of Fourvière, eight kilometers northwest of Lyons, who received the name of Jean-Marie on the same day at baptism. Father Mathieu Vianey — that is the spelling of the time — was, like his wife, an excellent Christian. Consecrated to the Blessed Virgin from before his birth, like his five brothers and sisters, the child learned early from his mother, a true model o

Saint Stephen

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 Deacon and First Martyr (+35) Feast on December 26. Summary of Life: It is unknown whether Saint Stephen was a disciple of Jesus Christ or converted through the preaching of the Apostles. However, it is certain that he quickly distinguished himself with virtues and earned the position of leader among the seven deacons chosen by the Apostles to assist in the secondary functions of their ministry. The account of his election, preaching, and martyrdom attributes five fullnesses to him. He was full of faith, firmly believing in all mysteries and having a special grace to explain them. He was full of wisdom, and no one could resist the words that came from his mouth. Full of grace, he showed celestial fervor and perfect love for God in all his actions. Full of strength, as his eloquent martyrdom demonstrated. Finally, he was full of the Holy Spirit, having received it in the upper room through the laying on of hands by the Apostles. Such virtues quickly bore abundant fruits of salvation in

Saint Colombe

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   Virgin and Martyr in Sens (circa 273). Celebrated on December 31. Of Spanish origin, the holy martyr, whose life we will summarize based on Acts written in the 8th century, should not be confused with another saint of the same name. This other saint, also a virgin and martyr, is highly venerated in Cordoba, especially, and died in 853, nearly six centuries later. The account of the passion of the Senonian martyr has not reached us in its entirety, especially not in its original text, which provided more accuracy in its details. Added to the ancient version are episodes that seem inspired by other martyr passions. Here again, we recount the tradition without being able to affirm the historical truth of each detail. Saint Colombe, instructed by the Holy Spirit. Colombe was born in the 6th century, under the sky of Spain, to a noble but pagan family. Nevertheless, the Holy Spirit chose the child as a chosen bride. From her birth, he filled her with his light and love. By divine instinc

Saint Prisca

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 Virgin and Martyr in Rome (+54 or around 270) Feast on January 18. It is natural – for the supernatural possesses an inexpressible attractive force that even skeptics, who oppose it, do not entirely escape – that the touching and radiant person of the young Saint Prisca, as well as the dramatic acts of her martyrdom, a marvelous prelude to an immortal halo, have captivated and held a great number of historians. They have written about her with an admiring complacency, and their praises unite to glorify her. Chronological uncertainties. They differ when it comes to the time of her brief but heroic passage on earth. If they agree that she suffered martyrdom under the emperor Claudius, there is no consensus on the identity of this emperor. Is it Claudius I, who ruled in the year 41 AD? Is it Claudius II, who succeeded Gallienus in the year 268? Many lean towards the latter. However, the question, deeply discussed, leads Cardinal Baronius not to rule out the possibility of considering the

Lives of Saint 1. Saint Guillaume

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"Archbishop of Bourges (+1209). Celebrated on January 10. Short version: Saint Guillaume declared that he would not leave the prison gate until the prisoners were freed Saint Guillaume, from the ancient counts of Nevers, was born around the middle of the 12th century. He was carefully raised in the fear of God. The Lord had endowed him with all the natural and graceful qualities necessary for the great designs He had for him. Consequently, he progressed rapidly, gaining knowledge beyond his years and an increasing treasury of holiness. Though the world offered him glory and pleasures, he renounced everything, even distancing himself from ecclesiastical honors that seemed to follow him. He retreated into the solitude of a monastery. Not content with leaving the world, he even forgot its memory, living in constant presence with God. His modesty, devotion, and regularity revived the fervor of his brothers. A mere glance at him in the choir or at the altar was enough to ignite a hol