The well-known Curé of Ars, St. Jean-Marie Baptiste Vianney, spent his life as a parish priest in the small, remote town of Ars. His intense prayer and sacrifice for those stubborn sinners was rewarded by miraculous graces, which spread far beyond his parish. People came from far and wide to benefit by the wisdom and holiness of this saintly priest.

The miracles for which he was most famous occurred in the confessional, where he was given divine insights concerning the spiritual state of those who came to him. But there were other signs of Heaven’s favor on this humble saint.

A lady by the name of Mlle. des Garets made an annual present of a bouquet of lilies to Fr. Vianney on the feast of his patron saint, John the Baptist. One year, she brought her bouquet straight to the sacristy, where Fr. Vianney gratefully accepted them. He complimented their beauty and arrangement, and then instinctively placed them on the windowsill.

He didn’t realize how delicate the flowers were in contrast with the sweltering June sun. They wouldn’t last more than two hours before wilting. An hour passed, then another, and another…A day passed, then another, and another…

Eight days later, the flowers were still as lovely and fragrant as when he first received them. His patron in Heaven had miraculously interceded in this trivial, yet meaningful matter. It was a touching reminder of St. John the Baptist’s loving and powerful care for his namesake.

This sweet, simple miracle - especially in contrast with so many others in his life that were aimed at serious spiritual matters - goes to show how Heaven looks out for us in all our needs - from the most urgent to the most mundane. And the more that we, like St. John Vianney, make an effort to bring God into our lives, the more we’ll benefit from His Almighty intercession.