August 21, 2026

Cathedral hosts Day of Prayer with St. John Vianney on Aug. 6

Worshippers fill the Blessed Sacrament Chapel of SS. Peter and Paul Cathedral in Indianapolis during a Mass on Aug. 6, the feast of St. John Vianney. The liturgy was the conclusion of a “Day of Prayer with St. John Vianney” for priestly vocations sponsored by the archdiocesan vocations office. (Photo by Sean Gallagher)

Worshippers fill the Blessed Sacrament Chapel of SS. Peter and Paul Cathedral in Indianapolis during a Mass on Aug. 6, the feast of St. John Vianney. The liturgy was the conclusion of a “Day of Prayer with St. John Vianney” for priestly vocations sponsored by the archdiocesan vocations office. (Photo by Sean Gallagher)

Criterion staff report

Catholics from across central and southern Indiana gathered on Aug. 6 at the Blessed Sacrament Chapel of SS. Peter and Paul Cathedral in Indianapolis for a “Day of Prayer with St. John Vianney” to pray for priestly vocations.

The Church observes Aug. 6 as the feast of St. John Vianney, the patron saint of priests and a model for diocesan priests in particular. Born in 1786 in France, he was ordained a priest in 1815. In 1818, he was assigned to the parish in the town of Ars in southeastern France.

Vianney remained there until his death in 1859. Over the course of his 41 years of ministry in Ars, he helped many people of the town back to the practice of the faith and became a noted confessor, drawing thousands of people annually to travel to the town to go to confession to him. Known as the “Curé of Ars,” Vianney was also known for the pastoral care he gave to the townspeople, his unceasing prayer for them.

The archdiocesan vocations office sponsored the day of prayer. It began at noon with eucharistic adoration, with Benediction occurring just before a Mass at 5:15 p.m., celebrated by Father Michael Keucher, archdiocesan vocations director.

A first-class relic of St. John Vianney was present in the chapel throughout the day for veneration. †

Local site Links: