St. Jean Vianney’s Heart Relic to Visit St. John Nepomuk Catholic Church in Yukon

Catholics in Oklahoma are eagerly anticipating the arrival of a nationwide pilgrimage featuring the heart of St. Jean-Baptiste-Marie Vianney, the patron saint of priests. The relic, which has remained intact for 160 years since Vianney’s death, will be on display at St. John of Nepomuk Catholic Church in Yukon on May 18-19.

Vianney, known for his dedication to the Catholic faith and his work with the poor, spent hours hearing Confessions as the parish priest of Ars, France. His heart, considered “incorrupt” in ecclesiastical terms, is now venerated as a relic of the Catholic Church.

The Knights of Columbus have been entrusted with the relic for a national tour in the U.S., with St. John Nepomuk in Yukon being the only Oklahoma location on the itinerary. Nick Bambick, Deputy Grand Knight of the St. John Nepomuk Knights of Columbus, expressed excitement about the honor and responsibility of hosting the relic.

The relic will be available for veneration starting at 4 p.m. on May 18, with various services and events scheduled throughout the weekend, including Masses, prayer services, and a dedication of a new Ten Commandments monument on the church campus. Attendees will also have the opportunity to have personal items touched to the relic.

Bambick emphasized that while the relic is of particular interest to Roman Catholics, the event is open to people of all denominations and faith traditions. He hopes that those who attend will be inspired by the experience and deepen their faith.

After the stop in Yukon, the pilgrimage will continue to other locations in the U.S. before concluding in North Dakota on May 29. For more information on St. Jean Vianney, the relic, and the pilgrimage, visit https://tinyurl.com/VianneyPilgrimage.