St. John Vianney, August 4
The son of farmers, John Vianney (1786-1859) struggled with his studies but became parish priest of the small village of Ars, near Lyon, in 1818. Pilgrims came by the thousands to confess to him, and he spent up to 16 hours a day in the confessional. He is the patron of parish priests.
On the General Roman Calendar, August 4 is a memorial: Saint John Mary Vianney, priest.
August 4 on the calendar
August 4 is the 216th day of the year (the 217th in a leap year), with 149 days left until December 31. Here is the day of the week it falls on in the coming years:
| Year | Day |
|---|---|
| 2026 | Tuesday |
| 2027 | Wednesday |
| 2028 | Friday |
| 2029 | Saturday |
| 2030 | Sunday |
Keeping August 4
August 4 falls in summer. As a memorial, the saint is named in the opening prayer of every Mass celebrated that day. Families who keep name days often mark the day with a card, a candle or a favorite meal, and parishes named after the saint may hold a festival.
Saints of the week around August 4
| Date | Saint or feast |
|---|---|
| August 1 | St. Alphonsus Liguori |
| August 2 | St. Eusebius of Vercelli |
| August 3 | St. Lydia |
| August 5 | Dedication of St. Mary Major |
| August 6 | Transfiguration of the Lord |
| August 7 | St. Cajetan |
The day before, August 3, is the day of St. Lydia. The day after, August 5, belongs to Dedication of St. Mary Major. Looking for a name? Try the name day calendar or go back to today’s saint.