St. John Vianney Novena

St. John Vianney banner

All Maine Catholics are invited to participate in a novena for priests and vocations to the priesthood each evening starting on Thursday, July 27, and running through Friday, August 4, the feast day of St. John Vianney.

The patron saint of parish priests, St. John Vianney was born during the days of the French Revolution and ordained to the priesthood in 1815. Three years later, he was made the curé or parish priest of Ars, a remote French hamlet, where his reputation as a gifted spiritual director and confessor made him known throughout the Christian world. Bishops, fellow priests, and laypeople would travel to Ars to seek his counsel. He heard confessions 16 to 18 hours day from people all over the world. He life was also filled with works of charity and love, including the founding of an orphanage for girls. He died on August 4, 1859, at age 73 and was canonized by Pope Pius XI on May 31, 1925.

In-Person Novena Gatherings

Holy Cross Church Rivier Chapel
Baird Avenue, Lewiston
6:30 p.m. to 7:30 p.m. except for Saturday, July 29, when it will be 11 a.m. to 12 p.m.
Led by seminarian Lam Vo

St. Louis Church
26 East Main Street, Fort Kent
7 pm. to 8 p.m.
Led by seminarian Erin Donlan

The novena in Fort Kent will include exposition of the Blessed Sacrament, time for adoration, a Scripture passage, reflections by Erin Donlon, and a litany to St. John Vianney, as well as benediction of the Blessed Sacrament.

Participate in the Novena via Livestream

Livestream from St. Louis Church
www.wfktv-4.com
July 27-August 4 - 7 p.m. to 8 p.m.

Livestream from the Rivier Chapel
https://www.youtube.com/@PrinceofPeaceME/streams
July 27 & 28 - 6:30 p.m. to 7:30 p.m.; July 29 - 11 a.m. to 12 p.m.; July 30 - August 4 - 6:30 p.m. to 7:30 p.m.

Novena Booklet

A booklet for the novena can be found here.

Themes

  • Day One: The support and faith of the family:
  • Day Two: Faith and trust in the Lord
  • Day Three: Simplicity and purity of life
  • Day Four: Holy confessor
  • Day Five: Lover of the Eucharist
  • Day Six: Model of prayer
  • Day Seven: Warrior against Satan
  • Day Eight: The heart of the priest is the heart of Christ.
  • Day Nine: Mary, our spiritual mother

St. John Vianney Quote

"All the good works in the world are not equal to the Holy Sacrifice of the Mass because they are the works of men; but the Mass is the work of God. Martyrdom is nothing in comparison, for it is but the sacrifice of man to God; but the Mass is the sacrifice of God for man."

For more information

Contact Erin Donlon at [email protected].