Saints Heart comes to Long Island
Long Island
The heart of a saintBY JOIE TYRRELLNewsday Staff Writer
A role model for priests, St. Jean-Marie Baptiste Vianney drew thousands of worshipers to his tiny village in France where he would hear confessions for hours on end.He died in 1859 and was canonized in 1925. And, next month, the heart of Vianney, a world-famous relic, is expected to draw throngs of Catholics to Curé of Ars Church in Merrick for five days of veneration and celebration.
"It really is a historical moment for our country and our diocese," said the Rev. Charles Mangano, the pastor of Curé of Ars in Merrick, the first U.S. church to be named after the saint's church in Ars. The Merrick church is celebrating its 80th anniversary this year.The heart will leave France for only the second time. It was first taken to Rome for the saint's canonization. It will be carried here by Bishop Guy Bagnard, bishop of Belley, Ars-France.Mangano had asked for permission for the heart to come to the church last year while he was on a retreat in France, he said. A short time later, the Bishop agreed and Mangano received an e-mail confirming his request. The chalice used by Vianney also will be on display. The event starts Oct. 7."Bishop Bagnard told me he decided to come here with the heart to increase vocations to the priesthood," Mangano said.Vianney is celebrated for giving people direction in their lives, according to the Catholic Heart, an independent organization of concerned Roman Catholics working to create a renewed appreciation for priests and the priesthood throughout the world.In one year alone, Ars was visited by 100,000 pilgrims. During his last decade, Vianney spent up to 18 hours a day in the confessional. He was given many spiritual gifts, such as the power of healing and the ability to read the hearts of his penitents, according to the Catholic Heart.When his body was exhumed in 1904 because of his pending beatification, it was found intact. Later, his heart -- also incorrupt -- was removed. The body and heart are encased in separate glass reliquaries at the church in Ars."As far as I know, it is not floating in formaldehyde," Mangano said. "When they exhumed his body, they chose to take the heart out. This saint's heart was his strongest attribute."Pope John XXIII proclaimed him to be a role model for all priests to emulate."I know that many Americans don't understand the veneration of relics," Mangano said. "This is a practice that is common in Europe, not here. ... Parishioners may say, 'Why would I want to come and see a dead person's heart?' We are not worshiping John Vianney. God has given us the communion of saints to be our companion on the journey. We are looking at a heart in a person whose entire being was for God."The Diocese of Rockville Centre did not return a call for comment.. Bishop William Murphy is scheduled to offer Mass at the church while the heart is on display.Mangano said he has received a number of inquiries about the celebration. Alberto Vazquez, principal at St. John Vianney Curé of Ars School in the Bronx, said his school has planned a field trip for 200 students to view the heart."It is a historic event for us. It is our patron saint for the parish school," he said. "It is vital the children have an encounter with the patron saint."
The heart of a saintBY JOIE TYRRELLNewsday Staff Writer
A role model for priests, St. Jean-Marie Baptiste Vianney drew thousands of worshipers to his tiny village in France where he would hear confessions for hours on end.He died in 1859 and was canonized in 1925. And, next month, the heart of Vianney, a world-famous relic, is expected to draw throngs of Catholics to Curé of Ars Church in Merrick for five days of veneration and celebration.
"It really is a historical moment for our country and our diocese," said the Rev. Charles Mangano, the pastor of Curé of Ars in Merrick, the first U.S. church to be named after the saint's church in Ars. The Merrick church is celebrating its 80th anniversary this year.The heart will leave France for only the second time. It was first taken to Rome for the saint's canonization. It will be carried here by Bishop Guy Bagnard, bishop of Belley, Ars-France.Mangano had asked for permission for the heart to come to the church last year while he was on a retreat in France, he said. A short time later, the Bishop agreed and Mangano received an e-mail confirming his request. The chalice used by Vianney also will be on display. The event starts Oct. 7."Bishop Bagnard told me he decided to come here with the heart to increase vocations to the priesthood," Mangano said.Vianney is celebrated for giving people direction in their lives, according to the Catholic Heart, an independent organization of concerned Roman Catholics working to create a renewed appreciation for priests and the priesthood throughout the world.In one year alone, Ars was visited by 100,000 pilgrims. During his last decade, Vianney spent up to 18 hours a day in the confessional. He was given many spiritual gifts, such as the power of healing and the ability to read the hearts of his penitents, according to the Catholic Heart.When his body was exhumed in 1904 because of his pending beatification, it was found intact. Later, his heart -- also incorrupt -- was removed. The body and heart are encased in separate glass reliquaries at the church in Ars."As far as I know, it is not floating in formaldehyde," Mangano said. "When they exhumed his body, they chose to take the heart out. This saint's heart was his strongest attribute."Pope John XXIII proclaimed him to be a role model for all priests to emulate."I know that many Americans don't understand the veneration of relics," Mangano said. "This is a practice that is common in Europe, not here. ... Parishioners may say, 'Why would I want to come and see a dead person's heart?' We are not worshiping John Vianney. God has given us the communion of saints to be our companion on the journey. We are looking at a heart in a person whose entire being was for God."The Diocese of Rockville Centre did not return a call for comment.. Bishop William Murphy is scheduled to offer Mass at the church while the heart is on display.Mangano said he has received a number of inquiries about the celebration. Alberto Vazquez, principal at St. John Vianney Curé of Ars School in the Bronx, said his school has planned a field trip for 200 students to view the heart."It is a historic event for us. It is our patron saint for the parish school," he said. "It is vital the children have an encounter with the patron saint."
posted by sparky at 6:58 PM
0 Comments:
Post a Comment
<< Home