The 150-year-old heart of a French priest is on a US tour a Roman Catholic relic with New York City as its latest stop.
The heart belonged to Saint John Vianney, who was a priest in the southern French town of Ars, outside Lyon. The heart that never really decomposed, was on display Saturday at St. Patrick's Cathedral on Fifth Avenue. Faithful as well a curious lined up to see the human organ in a glass box.
The tradition of preserving the body parts of saintly Catholics goes back to the Middle Ages in Italy.
Vianney lived during the French revolution and helped priests on the run to hide. He was recognised as a saint even back then. Priests looked at him to be a role model for the way they're supposed to be living their lives. It is believed that it is because his heart was not corrupt that it resisted decomposition for so many years.
In the next week, Vianney's heart will be displayed in schools and churches in other parts of New York City Staten Island, Queens and Brooklyn and Long Island, as well as other venues on the East Coast. The NY tour of Vianney's heart began in November.
The relic will return to its permanent home at a French shrine in Ars, outside Lyon, in early June.
Joseph Cullen, a member of the Knights of Columbus says, “Vianney was famous for his tireless work on behalf of his people, especially in the confessional, and for the holiness of his life.”
