Restless Hearts · Week 1 · Grades 3–5
Guided Notes: St. John Vianney
- Name
- Date
- Class
Follow along as your teacher presents. Fill in each section when its slide is on the screen.
St. John Vianney
A farm boy with a dream
John Vianney was born on May 8, 1786, in Dardilly, a village near Lyon, blank 1. His family were farmers.
When John was small, the French Revolution began. For a time, priests had to work in hiding. John’s family went to blank 2 in secret. He made his First Communion in a private house.
John saw how brave those priests were. He wanted to be a priest too. But he had spent his blank 3 working in the fields, with very little school.
Words to know
Write what each word means.
| Word | What it means |
|---|---|
| Parish | Write your answer |
| Curé | Write your answer |
| Confession | Write your answer |
| Ordained | Write your answer |
| Canonized | Write your answer |
The little village of Ars
John started his studies at age 20. blank 4 was very hard for him, and he failed some exams. A kind priest, Father Balley, tutored him. John was ordained a priest in 1815.
In blank 5 he was sent to Ars, a village of about 230 people. Few came to church. He prayed, visited families and taught the children.
Slowly the village changed. Then visitors came from all over France to go to blank 6 to him. He listened for many hours every day, up to 16 hours in summer.
Quick check
What made becoming a priest so hard for John? Circle one.
- A His family was too poor
- B He struggled with his studies
- C He lived too far from Lyon
- D He was too young to begin
Really listening?
Father Vianney gave each person his full attention. Sort each choice: is this really listening, or only half listening? Check one box for each.
| Item | Really listening | Half listening |
|---|---|---|
| Putting the tablet down when Mom talks | ||
| Saying “uh-huh” while playing a game | ||
| Looking at a friend who is telling a story | ||
| Checking a phone during dinner | ||
| Asking a question about what a friend said | ||
| Watching videos while Grandpa is talking |
Quick check
Why did so many people travel to Ars? Circle one.
- A To see a famous castle
- B To study Latin with him
- C To shop at a big market
- D To go to confession to him
Think, pair, share
Father Vianney listened to one person at a time, for hours and hours. When is it hard for you to give someone your full attention? What could you do with your screen to listen better?
Think: my idea before we talk
Sentence starters: “It is hard for me to listen when ...”“I feel listened to when someone ...”“One thing I could do with my screen is ...”
Pair: something my partner said
Let us pray
Lord Jesus, thank you for always listening to us.
Help us to keep trying when things are hard.
Teach us to listen to others with our whole hearts.
St. John Vianney, pray for us.
Amen.
My own prayer or intention:
Well done!
John Vianney died in Ars on August 4, 1859. He was canonized in 1925 and is the patron saint of parish priests.
One thing I learned today:
One question I still have:
Challenge: Once each day this week, put your screen face down and listen to someone until they finish talking.