St. John Vianney was assigned to the small inconsequential town of Ars, where he served as the parish priest. A man of great holiness and compassion, he became renowned for his pastoral ability, especially as a confessor. People came from miles away (no easy task in those days) to have him hear their confessions. Toward the end of his life, he spent 18 hours a day providing the graces of the Sacrament of Reconciliation, taking time out only to eat and sleep.