Fr. Vianney and the Freethinker

Upon another occasion, among the curious spectators in the Church at Ars, was a highly educated freethinker, a mocker of religion, of the Voltaire stamp. To please his wife he had accompanied her to Ars, in order, as he expressed it, to have a look at “the old buffoon.” With a scornful air, he surveyed the crowd praying devotedly in the Church. Suddenly, the Curé stepped out of the confessional, advanced towards the new arrival, and with an imposing movement of the hand, requested him to go into the sacristy. Astonished and confused, the unbeliever followed the Priest. There Father Vianney sought to bring him to his knees. The latter declared that he had no idea of going to confession, and that he did not believe in it. Father Vianney described to him his past life with surprising accuracy and drew from him the admission that all he had told him was true. The light of faith was forthwith rekindled in the soul of the sinner, who strongly affected, cried out with violent sobs: “My God, I believe, I adore Thee, I love Thee; and beg for forgiveness.” Father Vianney dismissed him with the words, “Dear friend, hold thyself prepared; the good God will call you to himself very soon!” And so it was. Two years later a stroke of apoplexy brought to a sudden end the convert’s life. St. John Vianney, Ora Pro Nobis.