Hundreds flocked to the Curé of Ars Church in Merrick Saturday to view what many faithful consider a miracle.
The heart of St. Jean-Marie Baptiste Vianney is on display at the church through Tuesday. Vianney was a French priest who died in 1859 at age 73. When his body was exhumed 45 years after his death, Vianney's heart remained unaffected by time. They are now kept in separate cases. Catholic faithful believe he had the ability to read people's hearts. It is just the second time the relic has been taken out of France and the first time it has been brought to the U.S.
Many visitors were incredibly moved by the heart. One visitor says Vianney is a wonderful model for the priests and for the people. The hope is maybe people will come back to the church because of a holy person like Vianney.