The happy distinction, however, of being able to glorify the humble country curate had been reserved by G.o.d for one who himself had been formerly a plain country curate. On Aug. 4th, 1903, at the very hour, when at Ars they were celebrating a solemn High Ma.s.s on the forty-fourth anniversary of the death of John Baptist Vianney, another solemn ceremony was taking place at Rome, viz., the election of the former village cure of Salzano, later Cardinal Sarto, patriarch of Venice, to the Papacy, who chose for himself the t.i.tle of Pius X.
As early as Jan. 26th, 1904, the new supreme pontiff presided at that session of the cardinals over which his ill.u.s.trious predecessor had intended to preside. Two cases in particular were presented for examination. One was a question of the sudden cure of the youthful Adelaide Joly, and the other, that of little Leo Roussat. The latter, after a violent attack of epilepsy, in the year 1862, had to be carried to the grave of the late cure. One of his arms hung crippled at his side; his power of speech was gone, and his breathing so difficult that he was unable to retain the saliva in his mouth. After a short time spent in prayer at the grave of the cure he was removed.
The hand formerly crippled was now able to give alms to the poor and the boy recovered the use of his limbs and walked about. At the conclusion of the novena he was able to speak without further trouble.
In Feb., 1861, the girl Adelaide, owing to a malignant swelling of the arm, had been given up as incurable by the doctors in the Lyons hospital. Then one of her relatives who possessed a piece of linen, which had belonged to the cure of Ars, laid it upon the affected arm.
In prayer they besought the intercession of the venerable servant of G.o.d to obtain relief for the suffering girl. To the astonishment of the doctors the swelling was suddenly reduced in a few hours and the arm was restored to its normal condition.
After the counsel of cardinals had p.r.o.nounced a favorable opinion in respect to the miraculous nature of these cures, a papal decree, dated Feb. 21st, 1904, declared these facts sufficiently established to justify the beatification of the venerable man.
The Holy Father himself gave unrestrained expression to the joy which he felt when he was enabled to admit into the ranks of the blessed one who, according to his own words, had been for many years a shining example to him.
LITANY AND PRAYER IN HONOR OF Blessed John B. Marie Vianney.
CURE OF ARS.
(FOR PRIVATE DEVOTION.)
Lord, have mercy on us.
Christ, have mercy on us.
Lord, have mercy on us.
Christ, hear us.
Christ, graciously hear us.
G.o.d the Father of Heaven, have mercy on us.
G.o.d the Son, Redeemer of the world, have mercy on us.
G.o.d the Holy Ghost, have mercy on us.
Holy Trinity, one G.o.d, have mercy on us.
Holy Mary, pray for us.
Blessed John Marie, pray for us.
B. J. M., endowed with grace from thine infancy, pray for us.
B. J. M., model of filial piety, pray for us.
B. J. M., devoted servant of the Immaculate Heart of Mary, pray for us.
B. J. M., spotless lily of purity, pray for us.
B. J. M., faithful imitator of the sufferings of Christ, pray for us.
B. J. M., abyss of humility, pray for us.
B. J. M., seraphim in prayer, pray for us.
B. J. M., faithful adorer of the Most Blessed Sacrament, pray for us.
B. J. M., ardent lover of holy poverty, pray for us.
B. J. M., tender friend of the poor, pray for us.
B. J. M., penetrated with the fear of G.o.d"s judgment, pray for us.
B. J. M., fortified by Divine visions, pray for us.
B. J. M., who wast tormented by the evil spirit, pray for us.
B. J. M., perfect model of sacerdotal virtue, pray for us.
B, J. M., firm and prudent pastor, pray for us.
B. J. M., inflamed by zeal, pray for us.
B. J. M., faithful attendant on the sick, pray for us.
B. J. M., indefatigable catechist, pray for us.
B. J. M., who didst preach in words of fire, pray for us.
B. J. M., wise director of souls, pray for us.
B. J. M., specially gifted with the spirit of counsel, pray for us.
B. J. M., enlightened by light from Heaven, pray for us.
B. J. M., formidable to Satan, pray for us.
B. J. M., compa.s.sionate with every misery, pray for us.
B. J. M., providence of the orphans, pray for us.
B. J. M., favored with the gift of miracles, pray for us.
B. J. M., who didst reconcile so many sinners with G.o.d, pray for us.
B. J. M., who didst confirm so many of the just in the way of virtue, pray for us.
B. J. M., who didst taste the sweetness of death, pray for us.
B. J. M., who dost now rejoice in the glory of Heaven, pray for us.
B. J. M., helpful to all those who invoke thee, pray for us.
B. J. M., patron of the clergy, pray for us.
Lamb of G.o.d, who takest away the sins of the world, Spare us, O Lord.
Lamb of G.o.d, who takest away the sins of the world, Hear us, O Lord.
Lamb of G.o.d, who takest away the sins of the world, Have mercy on us, O Lord.
Christ, hear us. Christ, graciously hear us.
_V._ Pray for us, Blessed John Marie, _R._ That we may be made worthy of the promises of Christ.
LET US PRAY.
Almighty and merciful G.o.d, who didst make the Blessed John Marie admirable in his pastoral zeal and in his constant love of penance, grant us the grace, we implore Thee, to win for Christ, by his example and intercession, the souls of our brethren, and to attain with them everlasting glory.--O, Bl. John Marie, incomparable laborer in the field confided to thee, obtain for the Church the realization of Jesus" desire. The harvest is abundant, but the laborers are few. Pray to the Master of the harvest to send faithful laborers into His vineyard. O, Bl. John Marie! Intercede for the clergy. May thy patronage, and thy prayer multiply the real vocations to the priesthood. May the Holy Ghost grant thee emulators; may He give us Saints! Through Christ, our Lord. Amen.
NOVENA IN HONOR OF BLESSED JOHN BAPTIST VIANNEY.
FIRST DAY.--FAITH.
On this first day of the novena we shall consider the faith of this holy man. A lively faith is necessary in order to please G.o.d. We believe every word which G.o.d has spoken by His Holy Church. We must practise this faith also in works. Faith without works is dead.
Without works it would be only an empty a.s.sertion that we believe. In a firm unflinching faith Blessed Vianney lived and died and became a saint.
PRAYER FOR FAITH.
Pour into my soul, O G.o.d, through the intercession of the Blessed Vianney, pastor of Ars, a deep lively heartfelt faith! That faith will be my salvation, as it was the salvation of all the saints who are now in Heaven. Amen.
[Then is said the Litany to the Blessed Vianney and the prayer. In these days of frequent Communion, it were well if Holy Communion could be received at the beginning of the novena and also at the end. Better still, if it could be received every day during the novena.]
SECOND DAY.--CHRISTIAN HOPE.
Consider the blessings of Christian hope. It is a trust in G.o.d, in His Providence, a lively, filial, trustful submission to the will of G.o.d, knowing that G.o.d will ordain things to His greater glory and to our spiritual benefit. What consolation is found in a Christian hope! How sweet it is! We cannot be disappointed if we trust in G.o.d, Who cannot deceive. Hope is our spiritual life and the principle of our active perseverance in it. How dreary is the world without hope! How glorious life becomes with hope! G.o.d puts hope into our hearts.
PRAYER FOR HOPE.
Give me, O Lord, that hope which raised the spirit of Blessed Vianney, that hope which gave him patience in long suffering. He did all with the hope that Thy glory would be enhanced. Infuse into my heart the desire to do good work for Thy sake.
[Here say the litany and prayer to the Blessed Vianney.]