HUBERTUS, Wis. — The relic of the Incorruptible Heart of St. Jean (John) Vianney will be available for veneration at the Basilica and National Shrine of Mary Help of Christians at Holy Hill in Hubertus on Wednesday and Thursday, Jan. 23 and 24.
A six-month tour is taking the holy relic of the saint — popularly known as the Cure d’Ars — across the United States. The heart relic of St. Jean Vianney will visit cathedrals, churches, chapels, and seminaries.
Sponsored by the Knights of Columbus, the “Heart of a Priest” tour was launched in wake of the clergy sexual abuse crisis in the Catholic Church. Supreme Knight Carl Anderson, CEO of the Knights of Columbus, said in statement that St. Jean Vianney offers an example to help the Church heal and rebuild.
The Shrine of Ars, France, has made this major relic available for a national tour in the U.S., from November 2018 through early June 2019. The saint’s incorrupt body, including the heart, is normally on display at the Shrine at Ars.
The Knights of Columbus welcomes this special opportunity to offer for veneration a major relic of the patron of parish priests, whose holiness and integrity is a model for clergy and laity alike.
The incorrupt heart of St. Jean Vianney, the patron saint of parish priests, “reminds us God uses instruments to be ministers of his grace and mercy,” said Archbishop Christophe Pierre, apostolic nuncio to the United States.
The Catholic Church teaches that a relic —- such as the heart of St. Jean Vianney — is offered to the faithful for veneration, but neither the relic nor the saint is worshipped. Veneration recognizes the fact that God has worked through the saint.
St. Jean Vianney was born in 1786 and served as a simple parish priest in the French town of Ars. He was known to spend as many as 18 hours a day hearing Confessions from people who traveled from throughout Europe to see the priest who was known for his holiness and piety. He also had a great love of and fostered devotion to St. Philomena. He died in 1859.
Pope Pius XI canonized him in 1925 and proclaimed him patron saint of parish priests in 1929. His incorrupt body and heart are displayed at his shrine in Ars.
The Relic of the Incorruptible Heart of St. John Vianney will be available for veneration at Holy Hill January 23 to 24. The Basilica and National Shrine of Mary Help of Christians is located at 1525 Carmel Rd., Hubertus.
Schedule:
Wednesday, Jan. 23 — 6:30 p.m., Opening Mass with Archbishop Jerome Listecki
Veneration begins immediately following Mass.
Thursday, Jan. 24 — 6 a.m. to 6 p.m., Veneration
6:30 p.m., Closing Mass with Bishop James T. Shuerman.
For more information about St. Jean Vianney and the relic tour, visit www.kofc.org/vianney The schedule will be updated as new locations are added.
For questions, email [email protected]