(The humble rectory of St. John Vianney at Ars, France)

True humility is one of the most essential virtues -- without it, all the others fall apart. There is no point in being full of fortitude, prudence, hope, etc., if we are also filled with pride. St. John Vianney compared humility to the string that holds the rosary beads together...without it, our virtues scatter. This example of the saint's humility tickled me, so I just had to share:

"All his life St. John Vianney was able to laugh heartily at his own lack of talent. Even when he was a student for the priesthood, John didn't take himself too seriously. The more he depended upon God, the more he laughed at his limitations. The professor who examined John before his ordination was exasperated with his seeming dullness. 'This fellow is a complete ass,' moaned the examiner. 'What can he possibly accomplish?'

"The future Saint overheard the professor and cunningly replied, 'If Samson, armed with only the jawbone of an ass, could kill 1000 Philistines, imagine what God could do with a complete ass.'"

~ Robert Eimer, O.M.I., Tilted Haloes, imprimatur 1964.