St. John Vianney on the Importance of Prayer

“Realizing that the season of Lent is nearly upon us, there is the chance many people are trying to decide what they should ‘give up’ for this penitential season at the last minute. During the season of Lent, we enter the desert with our Lord Jesus Christ and turn our attention to three important practices – Praying, Fasting, and Almsgiving. Instead of giving something up this year, why not do something instead.

“Prayer is one of important practices done in Lent, however, it shouldn’t be just during the penitential seasons we are praying more, we should be praying all the time and without ceasing. As St. Paul says in 1 Thessalonians 5:17, “’Pray without ceasing.’”

In a recent commentary in preparation for Lent, Tom Perna, Director of Adult Evangelization and Catechesis at Saint Mary Magdalene Catholic Church, Gilbert, AZ, offered twelve reflections from the Cure D’Ars, Saint John Vianney, on prayer.

To access Mr. Perna’s complete post, please visit:

Tom Perna: 12 Words from St. John Vianney to the 21st Century on the Importance of Prayer (2 MAR 14)