In High School? Curious about the priesthood? Check out our Associates Program!

What is the St. John Vianney Society?
The St. John Vianney Society is sponsored by the Office of Vocations of the Diocese of Providence for the purpose of helping Catholic high school students to learn more about priestly life while deepening their faith life.Gatherings are held 4 times a year either at the Seminary or on field trips.

Who can join The St. John Vianney Society?
Any Catholic student who attends a public or Catholic high school. Membership does not require any commitment to the Seminary. The group meets once quarterly to explore topics related to service, ministry and/or priesthood. The St. John Vianney Society is for high school aged men who are not yet ready to make a commitment to the priestly formation program but wish to learn more about priestly life.

How long can I remain in the St. John Vianney Society?
You determine the length of time that you remain in the group. Upon your graduation from high school, you would then arrive at a decision either to apply to the Seminary of Our Lady of Providence or join the Associates program. The Associates program is for mature individuals who are exploring the priesthood while in college.

Who is St. John Vianney?
St. John Vianney, Priest (Patron of priests) Feast day-August 4
Universally known as the "Cure of Ars)," St. John Mary Vianney was ordained a priest in 1815. Three years later he was made parish priest of Ars, a remote French hamlet, where his reputation as a confessor and director of souls made him known throughout the Christian world. His life was one of extreme mortification.

Accustomed to the most severe austerities, beleaguered by swarms of penitents, and besieged by the devil, this great mystic manifested a imperturbable patience. He was a wonderworker loved by the crowds, but he retained a childlike simplicity, and he remains to this day the living image of the priest after the heart of Christ.

He heard confessions of people from all over the world for the sixteen hours each day. His life was filled with works of charity and love. It is recorded that even the staunchest of sinners were converted at his mere word. He died August 4, 1859, and was canonized May 31, 1925.

Gatherings and field trips depart from:
Seminary of Our Lady of Providence
485 Mount Pleasant Avenue
Providence, Rhode Island 02908

Tentative meeting dates
All meetings will begin at 5:00 PM: