R. (12a) Create a clean heart in me, O God.A clean heart create for me, O God,and a steadfast spirit renew within me.Cast me not out from your presence,and your Holy Spirit take not from me.R. Create a clean heart in me, O God.Give me back the joy of your salvation,and a willing spirit sustain in me.I will teach transgressors your ways,and sinners shall return to you.R. Create a clean heart in me, O God.For you are not pleased with sacrifices;should I offer a burnt offering, you would not accept it.My sacrifice, O God, is a contrite spirit;a heart contrite and humbled, O God, you will not spurn.R. Create a clean heart in me, O God.
REFLECTION
Create a clean heart in me, O God.
St John Vianney is a patron saint of PAPA. He is the patron saint of priests/confessors.
Having accomplished his Latin studies with much effort and help with private tutoring, Jean Baptiste Marie Vianney became a priest at the age of 29. He was sent to the City of Ars. There he was met with people who preferred to go to the bar and dance than go to church. But he was on fire for the priesthood and saving souls so he fasted and prayed throughout the nights. He spent 12-16 hours in the confessional daily. Gradually the people started coming back to Church.
His reputation grew. The church eventually overflowed with happy and religious parishioners. At one point there were over 100,000 pilgrims to his church.
This, of course, got the devil so upset that he would harass him at night. In the museum of Ars, there is an old soot covered bed frame which was burned by the devil. But St John Vianney persevered. Affectionately called the Cure of Ars he was the pastor for the same church. He pastored until his death in only one church.
He had two favorite patrons--St Philomena, a first century Roman martyr and St John the Baptist. There were many miracles attributed to St Philomena.
He had a gift as a confessor as he could see into the "deepest recesses of the soul". He knew many details of a sinner's life without ever meeting them.
He was attuned to the poor and founded an orphanage. After much work by the priest who had one time been expelled from seminary school because he could not master Latin, many souls in the community of Ars became pious, prayerful and peaceful.
The seventeenth benefit for a PAPA member is a pilgrimage. A visit to the Rhone River, 30 minutes away from Lyon and a beautiful wine region might be another pilgrimage for PAPA.
St John Vianney is the patron saint of priests and confessors.
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