Born: 8 May, 1786
Died: 4 August, 1859

St. John-Baptist Mary Vianney of Ars, France is the Patron Saint of priests.

POPE Benedict XVI has declared a "Year for Priests" beginning with the Solemnity of the Sacred Heart of Jesus on June 19, 2009.
The year will conclude in Rome with an international gathering of priests with the Holy Father on June 19, 2010...

"On the forthcoming Solemnity of the Most Sacred Heart of Jesus, Friday 19 June 2009 — a day traditionally devoted to prayer for the
sanctification of the clergy — I have decided to inaugurate a Year for Priests in celebration of the 150th anniversary of the 'dies natalis'
of John Mary Vianney, the patron saint of parish priests worldwide. This Year, meant to deepen the commitment of all priests to interior
renewal for the sake of a more forceful and incisive witness to the Gospel in today’s world, will conclude on the same Solemnity in 2010.
"The priesthood is the love of the heart of Jesus", the saintly Curé of Ars would often say" says the Holy Father in his letter proclaiming
Year for Priests on the 150th anniversary of the Dies Natalis of the Cure of Ars.

"Faithfulness of Christ, faithfulness of priests” is the theme of the Year for the Clergy.
Let us pray for our priests and thank God for their presence in our midst. - CBCP Online

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ANNOUCEMENT: If you would like to avail of customized commemorative "Year of the Priest" shirts featuring this visual artist's
image St. John-Mary Vianny (as shown in this gallery), kindly go to the following links and help a good cause:

http://www.zazzle.com/personalize_year_of_the_priest_004_tshirt-235901095364123379
http://www.zazzle.com/personalize_year_of_the_priest_003_tshirt-235286379767936927