Patron saints

Who Is the Patron Saint of Priests?

Saint John Vianney · Feast day August 4

The patron saint of priests is Saint John Vianney, whose feast day is August 4.

Who was Saint John Vianney?

Saint John Vianney, the Cure of Ars, was a simple French parish priest who struggled through his studies but became renowned for his holiness and for spending long hours hearing confessions, sometimes sixteen a day, as thousands came to his village seeking God.

Why the patron of priests?

As the model of the humble, faithful parish priest, he is the patron of priests everywhere.

In the Word

I am the good shepherd: the good shepherd giveth his life for the sheep.John 10:11 (KJV)

A note for all traditions: patron saints are honored in the Catholic and Orthodox churches as examples of faith and as friends who pray with us, never worshiped, for worship belongs to God alone. Many Protestant Christians honor the saints as examples without asking their intercession. Across all traditions, there is one Lord and one mediator between God and us, the man Christ Jesus, and every one of us, not only the saints, is called to holiness and to him.

All the saints point to Jesus, and so are you called

Saint John Vianney was not the point; Christ was. Every saint is a window, and the light is Jesus, who is Lord of all. You are called to the same holiness and the same love. Pray, read the Word, and gather with the family of God on The Living Bread. Free, with no ads, for all people.

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Related: All patron saints · Saint of the day · The Christian year · Saints for August 4

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