The Cure D'Ars; A Memoir of Jean-Baptiste-Marie Vianney (Paperback)

This historic book may have numerous typos and missing text. Purchasers can download a free scanned copy of the original book (without typos) from the publisher. Not indexed. Not illustrated. 1869 Excerpt: ... CHAPTER VI. VIANNEY's LOVE FOR HIS PEOPLE. HIS EVANGELICAL LABOURS WITHIN AND WITHOUT HIS PARISH. Vianney's great affection for his parishioners, and the zeal which he manifested in their service, was returned, on their part, by the most devoted personal attachment. There were few things they would have dreaded more than to give him pain or annoyance. It was, indeed, this fear--more powerful with many of them than the voice of conscience--which contributed not a little to the good conduct and orderly lives of his people. In spite, however, of his pastoral solicitude, and of the personal interest which he took in each individual of his flock, his zeal and activity could still hardly find sufficient scope in a district comprising only a few hundred inhabitants. This consideration induced his superiors to offer him a more important post in one of the picturesque cantons of Beaujolais. After a five years' residence in the gloomy climate of Dombes, Salles would have been a Paradise; and this change presented besides every advantage likely to tempt a man not altogether indifferent to material considerations. It appears that Vianney decided upon accepting this post. In a letter to his brother, dated April 8, 1820, he writes: --My dear brother: I am about to leave Bresse for Beaujolais. My departure is to take place next week. They are going to send me to a cure not far from Villefranche, where 1 hope very soon to see you.' Twice Vianney visited the proposed scene of his future labours, and twice his miserable furniture was conveyed to the banks of the Saone; but each attempt to cross the river was frustrated by one of those inundations which often interrupted the communications from one bank to the other before the suspensionbridges were constructed. The inhabitan...