[Maximilian]

If anyone knows of any particular gift he had for the sacrament of Confession, then that clinches it.

Actually, the other article about Fr. Johnson (links above), mentioned confession as the basis of his apostalate. The former pastor only had 17 confessions during the Christmas season, Fr. Johnson hears more confessions every single day of the week. When Fr. Johnson saw a priest visting the parish for a seminar, he told him to jump right into the confessional and get to work earning his keep. You're right that does reflect the spirit of the Cure of Ars.

[fortunecookie]

I got the link to work this time. I'm not surprised to hear that he was a prolific confessor, as well. He will surely be missed, especially in his diocese. I haven't been to a mass like that in years. I did notice the change in the High Mass at EWTN, so at least some of us have that.