Today's Saint: St. John Vianney
Patron Saint of Priests
The Holy Father has declared the "Year for Priests" in honor of the 150th anniversary of the death of St. John Vianney. See the sidebar for the link to the official website of the "Year for Priests."
Before beginning your work, my dear brethren, never fail to make the Sign of the Cross. Do not imitate those people without religion who dare not do this because they are in company. Offer quite simply all your difficulties to God and say again from time to time this offering, for by that means you will have the happiness of drawing down the blessing of Heaven on yourself and on all you do.
St. John Vianney is good role model for Carmelites as he is well-known for his definition of contemplative prayer. One day while walking in church he saw one of his parishioners sitting in a pew. St. John Vianney asked him, "What are you saying to Him?" The old man replied, "Nothing. I look at him and he looks at me." That is a simple definition of the simplicity of contemplative prayer. Remember, this type of prayer is infused, a total gift of God.
Let us pray for each other, that we reach the stage of simple prayer-contemplation.
Peace be with you!
Rosemarie
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