A Surprise Pilgrimage to the Curé of Ars

In this Faith in the Home article, a parishioner reflects on their summer visit to the Shrine of St John Vianney.

I sighed as I switched off my phone and looked through the car window at the hot, dry French countryside. Four hours in the car and another couple to go until we reached our destination. As I looked out, a road sign flashed past us: “Ars.”

“Ars?!” I thought. “Ars? As in the Curé of Ars…St John Vianney?!” One of my favourite saints! Are we really near Ars?! I quickly switched my phone back on, loaded Google Maps and took a closer look. I couldn’t believe it; we really were near Ars, where St John Vianney had been parish priest!

“Quick!” I shouted to my bemused husband. “Take the next exit! St John Vianney wants us to visit him!”
What were the chances of looking out of the window just before passing the sign to Ars? There are no coincidences with Providence!

We swerved off the motorway and made our way to Ars-sur-Formans and the Shrine of St John Vianney. Patron saint of parish priests, he remains one of the Church’s most beloved saints. Ars is a quiet village where one immediately senses an atmosphere of peace and prayer.

Walking towards the basilica, I was struck by its beauty. Inside, sunlight filtered through the stained-glass windows. We had arrived at Vespers, and the Divine Office was being sung beautifully by the nuns, their heavenly voices echoing through the basilica. Kneeling before the incorrupt body of St John Vianney, I felt deeply moved by this saint of extraordinary holiness.

As we explored the shrine, we visited the humble presbytery where the Curé lived. Seeing his simple room and belongings reminded us that true greatness is found not in worldly success or possessions, but in faithfulness to God’s will and humility of heart.

Before leaving, we visited the reliquary preserving the incorrupt heart of St John Vianney. We wrote the names of every priest and bishop we knew in the book of prayer intentions.

As we departed Ars, we carried with us renewed hope, peace, and a deeper friendship with this special saint.

Sometimes you set out to visit a saint on pilgrimage, and sometimes the saint seems to call you instead.

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