The artifact is a lottery ticket from 1861 for a project to build the church in Ars, originally begun by the Curé d’Ars, St. Jean Vianney.
Included among the items to be won at this lottery were his watch and his prie-dieu (an individual pew to kneel on to pray).
St. Jean Vianney Lottery Ticket
St. Jean Vianney: Ars 1861 Lottery Ticket Signature Front of Ticket
Series number: 59 200,000 tickets at 50 cents Ticket number: 15
The Ars Lottery
Under the patronage of Monseigneur the Bishop of Belley
authorized by the government for the construction in Ars (Ain) of a church planned by the now deceased Mr. Vianney, curé d’Ars.
4000 prizes for the 4000 series of 50 tickets — prizes offered by Mr. the Curé of Ars, while he lived: his watch and his prie-dieu.
Price of ticket: 50 cents
Price of the series: 25 francs
Members of the commission appointed by the Prefect of the Department the 7th of November 1860. (Note: See names of the commission listed on lottery ticket.)
Notes
1. A few months before his death, the Cure d’Ars took out a subscription under these terms: I will pray God for those who will help me build a beautiful church at Saint Philomena P. 1000 francs 2 April 1859, J.M.B. Vianney, Curé d’Ars.
2. Mr. Vianney set up in perpetuity in his own vestry 15 masses per year for all his benefactors.
3. The old church will be preserved because of its imperishable memories.
The drawing will take place the 1st of November, 1861 at the Boarding School of the Brothers of the Holy Family at Ars.
Note on Back of Lottery Ticket
I will pray God for those who will help me build a beautiful church at (?) Saint ? Philomena ? P 1000 francs… Jean M ? B? Vianney, Cure d’Ars, 2 April 1859
Papal Artifacts is grateful to Dr. Jennifer Walski of Bordeaux, France, for her generosity in the translation of this item.
