The relic of St. John Vianney’s incorrupt heart will include Wilmington as part of its tour of the United States.
The shrine of Ars, France, has entrusted the major relic to the Knights of Columbus and it will be the focus of the day Feb. 4 at Diocese of Wilmington’s Corpus Christi Church in Elsmere as part of its national tour that began in November and runs through June.
A full schedule is highlighted by a Votive Mass of St. John Vianney celebrated by Bishop Malooly at 8:30 a.m. at Corpus Christi. The church hosts the relic for a full day that includes midday prayer and an evening prayer and Benediction with the relic at 6:30 p.m. The evening prayer celebrant and homilist will be Father Michael P. Darcy, Knights of Columbus Delaware state chaplain and pastor of Corpus Christi.
Rosary will be led by Knights of Columbus on the hour throughout the day between 8:30 a.m. Mass and 6:30 p.m. evening prayer. Private veneration will be throughout the day along with visits from schoolchildren.
The Knights of Columbus are supporting the cost for the St. Jean Vianney Relic Pilgrimage.
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 on August 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.
The Feb. 4 schedule, subject to change, is as follows:
8:30 a.m. Votive Mass of Saint John Vianney with the presence of All Saints Catholic School students. Celebrant and Homilist: Bishop Malooly
10:00 a.m. Rosary led by the Knights of Columbus – Joyful Mysteries
11:00 a.m. Rosary led by the Knights of Columbus – Luminous Mysteries
12:00 p.m. 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
1:00 p.m. Rosary led by the Knights of Columbus – Sorrowful Mysteries
2:00 p.m. Rosary led by the Knights of Columbus – Glorious Mysteries
3:00 p.m. Divine Mercy Chaplet led by the Knights of Columbus
4:00 p.m. Rosary led by the Knights of Columbus – Joyful Mysteries
5:00 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.
