A one-man play explored the life of St. John Vianney on Friday.

“Vianney” is a one-man show that was created, written, produced and performed by Leonardo DeFilippis.

The play was about John Vianney who decided he wanted to be a Catholic persist from an early age, however many obstacles nearly prevented that from happening. He did not do well in school and was considered the laughing stock of the seminary world.

Vianney had trouble memorizing the Latin sermons and eventually was ordained only because there was a great shortage of priests. The cardinals sent him to the small village of Ars, France where they agreed he could do little harm.

The village of Ars was steeped with sin, and the townspeople had no intent of giving up their lives filled with alcohol, adultery and greed.

Vianney’s attempt to save the souls of the people of Ars was met with resentment and tenacity.

However, through the power of faith and prayer, Vianney was eventually able to convert the hearts and minds of the townspeople.

Not only did Vianney manage to change the lives of his parishioners from Ars, but also through word-of-mouth, Vianney became a symbol of hope from people traveling up to 500 miles from their hometown to hear him preach.

As Vianney grew older and was failing in health, he would spend up to 19 hours a day hearing confession.

In the play, the devil frequently visited Vianney and tried to sway him to leave the town and the parish by causing Vianney to doubt himself as a leader.

Vianney overcame this through the power of prayer and devoted his life to the parish.

Vicki Walker, of Watson, said she traveled over an hour to see the production because it was advertised in her local church bulletin.

Walker said both she and her husband are active in their church and her husband is an active member of their local chapter of the Knights of Columbus, a Catholic organization.

“I think (Vianney) had so little but he made so much out of it for everyone else. He did so much for others,” Walker said. “I enjoyed it immensely.”

“Vianney” uses a projection screen and voice-overs to create a cast of characters including Madame Vianney, who is played by Defilippis’ wife, Patti; a young Jean Marie, played by Dominic Waldron; Catherine, played by Lindsay Younce; and Philomena, played by Lucy Defilippis.

Bill Kirk, a retired psychology professor at Eastern, said he enjoyed the show.

“We heard this was a splendid production and we were not disappointed,” Kirk said.

Kirk said he also felt the message of “Vianney” was applicable to modern times.

“I believe we lack in spiritual leaders and we have become so secular and it’s refreshing and important to experience, in this form, remarkable lives like John Vianney,” Kirk said.

DeFilippis said he hopes the story of John Vianney gives people hope. He said he feels the flawed character of John Vianney is more relatable.

“No matter where you come from, you trust him because he’s so human,” DeFilippis said.

Kathryn Richter can be reached at 581-2812 or [email protected].