Faith of M. Vianney

The Curé of Ars had received the gift of faith in an eminent degree. The Holy Spirit shed so bright a light on his innermost soul, that he saw divine things with a clearness, certainty, and sweetness, which caused ecstasies and tears, and the ready acquiescence of his mind in the truths that were shown to him. His intimate union with God had rendered these truths, as it were, sensible and palpable to him. What we perceive from a distance, vaguely, confusedly, through a cloud, he saw with a clear and steady eye.

“If we loved our Lord, we should have that gilded Tabernacle, that abode of the good God, always before the eyes of our mind. When we see the tower of a church on our way, the sight of it should make our heart beat, as the heart of the spouse beats at the sight of the dwelling of her beloved. We ought to be unable to take our eyes off it.”

“We have nothing but a faith three hundred miles distant from its object, as if the good God were beyond the seas. If we had a lively, penetrating faith, as the saints had, we should, like them, see our Lord. Some priests see Him every day at Mass.” … Do not these words recall those of St. Paul, Novi hominem?

“Those who have no faith are much more blind than those who have no eyes. … We are in this world like people in a thick fog; but faith is the wind which disperses it, and which causes a beautiful sun to shine on our souls. … See how all is sad and cold among Protestants! it is a long winter. With us all is cheerful, joyous, and consoling.”

“Let worldly people talk as they please. Alas! how should they see? they are blind. Our Lord Jesus Christ might work all the miracles now that He worked in Judea, and they would not believe. He to whom all power was given has not yet lost His power. For example, last week a poor vine-dresser brought here on his shoulders a little boy of twelve years old, who was quite a cripple, and had never been able to walk. This good man made a novena to St. Philomena, and his little boy was cured the ninth day, and went away galloping before him.”

“Formerly our Lord made the lame walk, healed the sick, raised the dead to life. Some people who were present then, and saw these prodigies with their own eyes, yet did not believe. Men are the same at all times and in all places. If the good God is powerful, the devil also has his power; and he makes use of it to blind the eyes of the poor world.”