Saint Jean-Baptiste-Marie Vianney (1786–1859)

The man everyone called “the Curé of Ars” was at first denied ordination to the priesthood. His grades were poor, his Latin abysmal. Yet by the time he died, St. John Vianney knew more about human nature than any psychologist could hope to: Most of his days—and for that matter, most of his nights—were spent hearing confessions. And every day, he said Mass and preached. After he died, 85 sermons were discovered.
Topics:
“Have your religion in your heart?” Signs of the real thing
“The dreadful state of the lukewarm soul”
Moral blindness in casual Christians who generally think themselves clean-living
The ways you can injure your neighbor
How and to whom you must make restitution as a mark of sorrow for a sin
“Many of you, my friends, are thieves”
Three classes of people: those entirely for the world, those entirely devoted to God, and those who want to serve both
“The path to perdition.” Why it isn’t a Bible-thumping cliché
The vanity of the world: easily recognized in the hour of death— at which point it may be too late
Why death strikes terror in the hearts of most, but not of all
Why whether we may die happily depends upon the life we are leading. How Vianney envisioned the Last Judgment
Three ways to ensure a happy death
Why we can’t hope for miraculous conversions
The brevity of your life
Why “to deny God means becoming a slave to Satan”
“How those who fear the world’s criticism betray a weak mind”
Why you need to do penance even after confessing sins. Ways to do it right
How to practice the Faith in your home, among children and other family
How to meditate on Christ and His love for man; for you
“Frivolity in many marriages—God’s blessing cannot attend them. God’s curse often follows them”
Why “envious men are even more malicious than the devil.” Examples of envy in daily life. Curing envy
“Two things especially dangerous to the soul”
Defining the basic “interior and exterior enemies”
Why temptations are sometimes “necessary”
“The devil tempts most of all the elect”
“Snares of the devil for the zealous in the service of God”
“A sure sign that you are on the right path to Heaven”
Understanding how the Holy Ghost works in your soul
“How you can tell whether or not you are truly repentant”
“Delay of Confession for a whole year is a bad sign”
“God chastises like a good father.” “Suffering due us.” “Trials for the just”
Ever-present in Vianney’s consciousness: the influence of the devil, and how people can uncover their hidden sins and flaws of character.… (mais)