Acts 4:32-35; Psalm 33(34):2-11; John 15:1-8
He was born in the town of La Mure, France in the year 1811. Ordained a priest and engaged in pastoral work for some time, he later entered the Society of Mary. A fervent disciple of the Eucharistic Mystery, he established two congregations, one for men, the other for women, dedicated to the worship of the Eucharist. He was also the initiator of many other apostolates, aptly chosen to arouse love for the Holy Eucharist among the faithful. He died on August 1, 1868 in the town in which he was born.
A quick tour of the internet will provide ample evidence that pruning of vines (John 15:1-8) is essential to provide a bountiful harvest. The guides provide detailed information about where and when to cut. The point to note is not that some branches are discarded, left to rot, nor that the vine after dressing itself looks dead and dry: but that the thing keeping the vine alive is the sap - the pulsing force which brings new life. For us, that sap is Christs Love - and we are responsible for carrying the sap on to the buds and twigs growing from us.