|
Saint for the Day - April 14 - St. Benezet
St. Benezet kept his
mother's sheep in the country, and as a mere child
was devoted to practices of piety. As many persons
were drowned in crossing the Rhone, Benezet was
inspired by God to build a bridge over that rapid
river at Avignon. He obtained the approbation of the
bishop, proved his mission by miracles, and began
the work in 1177, which he directed during seven
years.
He died when the difficulty of the undertaking was
over, in 1184. This is attested by public monuments
drawn up at that time and still preserved at
Avignon, where the story is in everybody's month.
His body was buried upon the bridge itself, which
was not completely finished till four years after
his decease, the structure whereof was attended with
miracles from the first laying of the foundations
till it was completed in 1188. Other miracles
wrought after this at his tomb induced the city to
build a chapel upon the bridge, in which his body
lay nearly five hundred years.
But in 1669 a greater part of the bridge falling
down through the impetuosity of the waters, the
coffin was taken up, and being opened in 1670 in
presence of the grand vicar, during the vacancy of
the archiepiscopal see, the body was found entire,
without the least sign of corruption; even the
bowels were perfectly sound, and the color of the
eyes lively and sprightly, though, through the
dampness of the situation, the iron bars about the
coffin were much damaged with rust. The body was
found in the same condition by the Archbishop of
Avignon in 1674, when, accompanied by the Bishop of
Orange and a great concourse of nobility, he
performed the translation of it, with great pomp,
into the Church of the Celestines, this Order having
obtained of Louis XIV. the honor of being intrusted
with the custody of his relics till such time as the
bridge and chapel should be rebuilt.
Saint for the Day -
St. Benezet
Read about the Saint for today - April 14 and spare a thought for family or friends who might suffering from ill health or are experiencing times of trouble.
|
Daily Reflection
|
Let us pray for perseverance in
good works. St. Augustine says,
"When the Saints pray in the
words which Christ taught, they
ask for little else than the
gift of perseverance." |
|
Saint for the Day Website
We hope that you gain spiritual knowledge and inspiration reading about the saint for today - April 14. An online Catholic resource providing a short Reflection for the year ahead. Use these short, inspiring words to request guidance or assistance for yourself and for the sake of others. |
