Saint's Heart Goes On Display At St. Patrick's Cathedral

MIDTOWN MANHATTAN, NY — The incorrupt heart of a Catholic saint will be on display at St. Patrick's Cathedral this weekend, officials said.

The heart of Saint John Marie Vianney will be seen St. Patrick's Cathedral on 50th Street and Fifth Avenue on Saturday, April 6 from 6:30 a.m to 8 p.m, and Sunday, April 7th in the main sanctuary for the 10:15 a.m. Mass, cathedral officials said.

St. John Vianney, born in France in 1786, became famous for hearing confessions for extended amounts of time without rest, and his notoriety only grew after his death for the way his holiness continued to inspire, church officials said. He is revered for his legacy of generosity, purity and prayerfulness.

The word "incorrupt" is included within the name to signify that the heart has avoided the standard process of decomposition after death. It is considered a sign of Saint Vianney's holiness.

The St. Patrick's Cathedral visit is part of the "Heart of a Priest Tour," sponsored by the Knights of Columbus. The tour began in November and New York will be the 29th state to receive a visit. More than 115,000 people have already viewed the relic.

The relic will also make stops at these New York area locations:

• Our Lady Star of the Sea Church at 5411 Amboy Road on Staten Island from 7 to 10 p.m. on Sunday, April 7, and from 7 to 8:45 a.m. on Monday, April 8.
• Church of the Curé of Ars at 2323 Merrick Ave. in Merrick, on Long Island, from noon on Monday, April 8, through an all-night vigil into Tuesday, April 9, culminating in a 7:30 p.m. Mass. The relic will return to Curé of Ars on Thursday, April 11, beginning at 7 a.m. and will include adoration of the Blessed Sacrament and a reflection by Rockville Centre Bishop John Burres.
• Cathedral Prep School and Seminary, 56-25 92nd St. in Elmhurst, Queens, on Tuesday, April 9, beginning with a 10:30 am. Mass celebrated by Auxiliary Bishop Paul Sanchez and continuing to 2:30 p.m.
• Veneration will continue Tuesday, April 9, at Immaculate Conception Center at 7200 Douglaston Parkway in Douglaston, Queens, from 5 to 7:30 p.m with a Mass at 5:30 led by Auxiliary Bishop Raymond Chappetto.
• Brooklyn Bishop Nicholas A. DiMarzio will celebrate Mass with the relic present at St. Thomas Aquinas Church at 1550 Hendrickson St. in Brooklyn on Wednesday, April 10, at 7:30 p.m. Veneration will be held from 7 to 9:30 p.m. and earlier in the day at Xaverian High School at 7100 Shore Road from 2:45 to 4:30 p.m.