BELMONT — Relics of St. John Vianney will visit Belmont Abbey’s Mary Help of Christians Basilica Friday, May 24, and St. Patrick Cathedral May 25-26 as part of its national tour. The tour is sponsored by the Knights of Columbus, a Catholic fraternal organization for men, with the intention of praying for priests and vocations.
St. John Vianney, who lived 1786 –1859, was a parish priest in the small French town of Ars. St. John Vianney was well known for his gentle pastoral manner and great humanity. Many miracles were worked at his intercession.
After his death, Pope Pius XI canonized him in 1925 and he has been looked to as a patron saint of parish priests and model of priestly holiness. When his body was exhumed, his heart was found to be preserved and is a focus of devotion, but not an object of worship.
The May 24 visit coincides with Solemnity of Mary Help of Christians, the Patroness of Belmont Abbey.
After the visit to Belmont Abbey, the relic will travel to St. Joseph Catholic Church in Raleigh, NC, and St. Patrick's Cathedral in Charlotte May 25 and 26.
“I am very happy that we have this blessing of having the heart of St. John Mary Vianney for veneration in our Abbey Basilica, especially on our patronal feast of Mary Help of Christians,” Abbot Placid Solari said. “I hope in particular that the veneration of St. John Vianney and the help of his prayers will inspire vocations to the priesthood and religious life in our diocese and here at the Abbey.”
Mary Help of Christians Basilica schedule:
Friday, May 24
6 a.m. - 6:30 a.m.: Vigils
7:30 a.m. - 8:00 a.m.: Lauds
8 a.m.- 10:30 a.m.: Public Veneration
11 a.m. -12 p.m.: Solemnity Mass of Mary Help of Christians
St. Patrick Cathedral schedule:
Saturday, May 25th
5 - 9 p.m.: Veneration
5:30 p.m.: Mass
Sunday, May 26
7:30 a.m., 9 a.m., 11 a.m. & 12:30 p.m. Masses
Veneration will be available between Masses
2- 6 p.m.: Veneration
6 – 7 p.m: Private Veneration for Priests and Religious
More information on the pilgrimage tour can be found here: https://www.kofc.org/en/events/vianney.html