Heart of St. John Vianney at Corpus Christi Church in Elsmere Feb. 4
The incorrupt heart of St. John Vianney will be visiting Corpus Christi Church, 909 New Road in Elsmere, Monday, Feb. 4. The Shrine of Ars, France, has made this major relic available for a national tour in the U.S. The relic will be available thought the day for private veneration. A Mass with Bishop Francis Malooly as celebrant and homilist will begin at 8:30 a.m. Rosaries and prayer services are scheduled throughout the day.
The Knights of Columbus is hosting this tour and welcomes this special opportunity to offer for veneration this relic of the patron of parish priests, whose holiness and integrity offer a model for clergy and laity alike.
School and other groups are invited. Catechesis on relics and the life of the saint will take place in the chapel.
Schedule:
8:30 a.m. - Votive Mass of Saint John Vianney with the presence of All Saints Catholic School students. Celebrant and Homilist: Bishop Malooly
10 a.m. - Rosary led by the Knights of Columbus – Joyful Mysteries
11 a.m. - Rosary led by the Knights of Columbus – Luminous Mysteries
Noon - Midday Prayer of Saint John Vianney with a reading from the saint on priesthood with the presence of the priests of the Diocese of Wilmington
1 p.m. - Rosary led by the Knights of Columbus – Sorrowful Mysteries
2 p.m. - Rosary led by the Knights of Columbus – Glorious Mysteries
3 p.m. - Divine Mercy Chaplet led by the Knights of Columbus
4 p.m. - Rosary led by the Knights of Columbus – Joyful Mysteries
5 p.m. - Rosary led by the Knights of Columbus – Luminous Mysteries
6:30 p.m. - Evening Prayer of Saint John Vianney and Benediction with the relic. Celebrant and Homilist: Father Michael Darcy, State Chaplain, Delaware Knights of Columbus
Schedule subject to change.
Jean Baptiste Marie Vianney, T.O.S.F., born May 8, 1786, is commonly known in English as St. John Vianney, a French parish priest who is recognized in the Catholic Church as a saint and as the patron saint of parish priests. He is often referred to as the "Curé d'Ars" (Parish Priest of Ars), and is internationally known for his priestly and pastoral work in his parish in Ars, France, because of the radical spiritual transformation of the community and its surroundings. He died Aug. 4, 1859, and was canonized by Pope Pius XI in 1925.
Relics include the physical remains and effects of saints and are considered worthy of veneration inasmuch as they are representative of persons in glory with God. A relic is meant to draw a person closer to God. Neither the relic nor the saint are to be worshipped.
For more information about St. Jean Vianney and the relic tour, visit www.kofc.org/vianney. Information about the relic’s stop in Delaware is available at www.cdow.org/Vianney. More information is available at www.cdow.org.
