St. John Vianney

Patronage:  Parish Priests

St. John Vianney, also known as the Curé d'Ars, became a priest in 1815.  He was appointed priest of the small village of Ars in 1818 and was known for his holiness and supernatural powers and was devoted to the Virgin Mary, St. Philomena and the sacrament of reconciliation spending 14 - 18 hours daily in his confessional.  From about 1845 until his death, some 20,000 pilgrims made their way to Ars to make their confession to him.  He is the only diocesan priest ever to be canonized and is the patron saint of clergy throughout the world.

• Born: May 8, 1786, Dardilly, France
• Died: August 4, 1859, Ars, France
  
• Parish Priest of Ars, France, known as the Curé d'Ars
• Canonized:  May 31, 1925
  
• Feast Day:  August 4 
       
• For more information please visit: St. John Vianney - My Catholic Life!

CERTIFICATE OF AUTHENTICITY

Known History of this Holy Relic
This Holy Relic was part of a collection by Msgr. Eugene F. Kolb of the Diocese of Buffalo, New York.   Msgr. Kolb was ordained in 1950.  Upon his death in 1973, these Holy Relics were inherited by his sister, Sister Mary Ann Kolb, of the Order of St Joseph, also of the Diocese of Buffalo, New York.  These Holy Relics remained in her care until 2024, when the Holy Relics were transferred to the care of John Kolb, the nephew of Msgr. Kolb and Sr. Mary Ann. John Kolb took responsibility to find suitable, responsible persons to care for the Holy Relics.

John E. Kolb, April 2024

 Image of the Holy Relic