The Society of John-Mary Vianney

Participate in the renewal of the diocesan ministry

 

Our fraternities

Ars Seminary

“Priestly associations are … a brotherly support which helps priests to become holy in the exercise of their ministry: thus, they are at the service of the whole order of priests.”

Presbyterorum Ordinis 08.

WHAT IS THE SOCIETY OF JOHN-MARY VIANNEY ?

The Society of John-Mary Vianney (SJMV) is an association of Diocesan priests. Founded in April 1990 by Bishop Guy-Marie Bagnard, emeritus Bishop of Belley-Ars, the Society seeks to participate in the renewal of the priestly ministry, responding to the call of the Second Vatican Council: “in order that priests may find mutual assistance in the development of their spiritual and intellectual life, that they may be able to cooperate more effectively in their ministry and be saved from the dangers of loneliness which may arise, it is necessary that some kind of common life or some sharing of common life be encouraged among priests.” (Vatican II, Presbyterorum Ordinis 8)

Participate in the

renewal of the

priestly ministry

The Curé of Ars
as a priestly
model

A community life
at the service of a
common mission

The Society of St John-Mary Vianney sees in the figure of the Curé of Ars the essential traits of the priesthood, lived in accordance with the Tradition of the Church. The Society sees its life as a vocation, and as a way to priestly holiness today.

The members of the Society live their vocation as a consecration of their life, seeking always to imitate what they celebrate in the Eucharist. Aware of the intimate fraternal relations which bind them together both on account of their priesthood and of the charism which unities them, they demonstrate that unity, through community life at the service of a common mission with which they are entrusted. (Statutes of the SJMV 7).

The majority of the members of the Society live out their ministry in their dioceses in order to participate in the renewal of the diocesan ministry there. They come together in priestly fraternities to support each other through prayer and shared mission, in the spirit of the Curé of Ars.

The Mother House of the SJMV is situated a short distance from the Sanctuary of Ars, at the John Paul II Priests’ Foyer, which welcomes priests and seminarians throughout the year, who come from all around the world to be refreshed close to the Curé. Within this same house is found the International Seminary of the SJMV, where priests are trained at the service of the mission.

 

Click here

to discover 

the figure

of the Priest

of Ars

WHAT IS THE SOCIETY OF JOHN-MARY VIANNEY ?

The Society of John-Mary Vianney (SJMV) is an association of Diocesan priests. Founded in April 1990 by Bishop Guy-Marie Bagnard, emeritus Bishop of Belley-Ars, the Society seeks to participate in the renewal of the priestly ministry, responding to the call of the Second Vatican Council: “in order that priests may find mutual assistance in the development of their spiritual and intellectual life, that they may be able to cooperate more effectively in their ministry and be saved from the dangers of loneliness which may arise, it is necessary that some kind of common life or some sharing of common life be encouraged among priests.” (Vatican II, Presbyterorum Ordinis 8)

The majority of the members of the Society live out their ministry in their dioceses in order to participate in the renewal of the diocesan ministry there. They come together in priestly fraternities to support each other through prayer and shared mission, in the spirit of the Curé of Ars.

The Mother House of the SJMV is situated a short distance from the Sanctuary of Ars, at the John Paul II Priests’ Foyer, which welcomes priests and seminarians throughout the year, who come from all around the world to be refreshed close to the Curé. Within this same house is found the International Seminary of the SJMV, where priests are trained at the service of the mission.

A public clerical association of pontifical right

Since Holy Thursday 2002, the Society of St John-Mary Vianney has been a public clerical association of pontifical right, attached to the Congregation for the Clergy, having the faculty to incardinate. The possibility of incardinating some members in the SJMV was granted on 29th June 2008. The definitive statutes, including the principle of incardination, were recognised on 22nd August 2009.

A PUBLIC CLERICAL ASSOCIATION

Since Holy Thursday 2002, the Society of St John-Mary Vianney has been a public clerical association of pontifical right, attached to the Congregation for the Clergy, having the faculty to incardinate. The possibility of incardinating some members in the SJMV was granted on 29th June 2008. The definitive statutes, including the principle of incardination, were recognised on 22nd August 2009.

Discover our history

THE CHARISM OF THE SOCIETY

The essential values which make up the charism of the Society of St John-Mary Vianney, and which support the ministry of the priests who are part of it, can be summed up in these points which are found in the Statutes of the SJMV (11):

To announce the Good News to the world

This is based on the words of Christ: “As the Father has sent me, so I send you” (Jn 20:21). In the words of St Paul: “Woe to me if I do not preach the Gospel” (I Cor 9:16).

Community life lived in fraternity

This is based on the desire and ability to live a community life. This includes a time devoted to sharing the Gospel, as a means for reading one’s life in its light, and being more committed to growing in holiness.

Deepening our knowledge of the Faith

The priesthood draws its source and strength from the need to enter into the depth of what we believe: listening to the Word of God, in fidelity to the Magisterium of the Church.

Priority given to the interior life

This is cultivated by personal prayer, celebrating and adoring the Eucharist, as well as lived in union with Mary, Mother of the Church and of the priesthood.

Being at the service of our Dioceses

Our life is lived and carried out as a desire to work as a Diocesan priest, at the service of the mission of one’s own Diocese, while always remaining open to the call to other ministries.

Giving of oneself after the example of Christ

We seek to live the priestly consecration according to the example of Christ who was poor, chaste and obedient, in the spirit of St John-Mary Vianney.

THE CHARISM OF THE SOCIETY

The essential values which make up the charism of the Society of St John-Mary Vianney, and which support the ministry of the priests who are part of it, can be summed up in these points which are found in the Statutes of the SJMV (11):

To announce the Good News to the world

This is based on the words of Christ: “As the Father has sent me, so I send you” (Jn 20:21). In the words of St Paul: “Woe to me if I do not preach the Gospel” (I Cor 9:16).

Community life lived in fraternity

This is based on the desire and ability to live a community life. This includes a time devoted to sharing the Gospel, as a means for reading one’s life in its light, and being more committed to growing in holiness.

Deepening our knowledge of the Faith

The priesthood draws its source and strength from the need to enter into the depth of what we believe: listening to the Word of God, in fidelity to the Magisterium of the Church.

Priority given to the interior life

This is cultivated by personal prayer, celebrating and adoring the Eucharist, as well as lived in union with Mary, Mother of the Church and of the priesthood.

Being at the service of our Dioceses

Our life is lived and carried out as a desire to work as a Diocesan priest, at the service of the mission of one’s own Diocese, while always remaining open to the call to other ministries.

Giving of oneself after the example of Christ

We seek to live the priestly consecration according to the example of Christ who was poor, chaste and obedient, in the spirit of St John-Mary Vianney.

A MODEL OF PRIESTHOOD

In his time, a great number of people came to Ars to meet St John-Mary Vianney. They were seeking advice, prayer or  the strengthening of their faith. Still today the Curé of Ars attracts crowds of lay people and priests. By his simple faith-filled life, he speaks to the people of our age and calls each of them back to the fundamental reality of our lives: “God is there”. Convinced of his powerful intercession, our Society turns to him to ask that we priests may always be more conformed in our ministry to the gift of grace we received at our Ordination.

By his simple faith-filled life, he speaks to the people of our age and calls each of them back to the fundamental reality of our lives: “God is there”.

Discover the Curé of Ars

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