James
Saint John Vianney hears confessions. This painting is located in the sacristy of Saint Joseph Chapel in Milwaukee.
I came across this short description of Saint John Marie Vianney’s daily routine. I didn’t really know a lot about him, truth be told. After finishing a biography, I was quite moved by the intensity with which his heart burned for the salvation of souls. Following his Master, he gave everything he had to his flock.
His daily routine consisted of: prayer and confession from midnight until early Mass (6:00 or 7:00 A.M.); confessions until 10:30 A.M., when he recited prime, terce, sext, and none on his knees; 11:00 A.M. saw catechism, more confessions; at noon he ate a meager meal (if any); afternoon visits to the sick followed; vespers and compline back at the church, continuing his confessions until 7:00 or 8:00 P.M.; then, finally, rosary from the pulpit. He would then retire for his short night’s rest. This was his routine, day in and day out for more than thirty years.
No wonder he is the Patron Saint of diocesan priests! This really puts “Confession by appointment” to shame. If even a fraction of this kind of availability for the Sacrament of Penance were common today, we’d see an instantaneous springtime in the Church.