April 14th - St. Bénézet
Bénézet was born about the year 1165, probably at Hermillion-en-Maurienne,
Savoie, France. He apparently came from a poor family, as he had no
education
and was a shepherd. He was described as a very pious, thoughtful and
gentle
youth.
According to tradition, as a young boy, tending his mother's sheep during
a
total eclipse of the sun, he heard a voice in the darkness asking him to
build a
bridge over a very rapid section of the Rhône River at Avignon. In the
Middle
Ages the construction and repair of bridges was considered a very
im****tant
work
of mercy. Often wealthy men would make provision in their wills for such
bridges
to be built. There were no bridges over the Rhône and it was especially
swift
and dangerous at Avignon. Many lives had been lost in it's turbulent
waters.
Even though a simple, undersized, uneducated and poor youth, Bénézet took
this
commission seriously. He traveled to Avignon and told the bishop of his
experience. Initially the bishop did not believe him, but Bénézet's
sincerity
and humility soon convinced him. Also miracles began to be attributed to
his
intercession.
In 1177, the work of building the bridge began. Young Bénézet would spend
the
next seven years raising money and attracting workers to complete the
project.
He did not live to see this first bridge over the Rhône completed, but the
main
difficulties had been overcome when he died in 1184. The bridge was
completed in
1188.
Bénézet is considered the patron of bridge builders. Ecclesiastical
documents
refer to him as a saint in 1237. Initially one might ask why is he
considered a
saint. If we think in terms of 12th century culture, here was a young,
poor,
uneducated boy from a small French village. He must have been an
impressive
teenager to convince the bishop that despite his youth and lack of
education, he
did indeed have a sacred commission to build this bridge. He must have
also
greatly impressed many in order to obtain the funds needed as well as to
acquire
the workmen needed to complete such a difficult and dangerous project.
Benedict, perhaps like Jeremiah, might have wondered at God's choosing
him,
thinking: "but I have no abilities for such an undertaking!" Despite this
he
accepted God's will and did what was asked of him.
Saint Quote:
Then this soul exclaimed with ardent love,-"Oh, inestimable Charity, sweet
above
all sweetness! Who would not be inflamed by such great love? What heart
can
help
breaking at such tenderness? It seems, oh, Abyss of Charity, as if you
were
mad
with love of Your creature, as if You could not live without him, and yet
You
are our God who have no heed of us, Your greatness does not increase
through
our
good, for You are unchangeable, and our evil causes You no harm, for You
are
the
Supreme and Eternal Goodness. What moves You to do us such mercy through
pure
love, and on account of no debt that You owed us, or need that You had of
us? We
are rather Your guilty and malignant debtors. Wherefore, if I understand
aright,
Oh, Supreme and Eternal Truth, I am the thief and You have been punished
for
me.
For I see Your Word, Your Son, fastened and nailed to the Cross, of which
You
have made me a Bridge, as You have shown me, Your miserable servant, for
which
reason, my heart is bursting, and yet cannot burst, through the hunger and
the
desire which it has conceived towards You. I remember, my Lord, that You
were
willing to show me who are those who go by the Bridge and those who do
not;
should it please Your goodness to manifest this to me, willingly would I
see
and
hear it."
-from Dialog of Catherine of Siena
Bible Quote:
12 Again therefore, Jesus spoke to them, saying: I am the light of the
world: he
that followeth me, walketh not in darkness, but shall have the light of
life.
(John 8:12)
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Prayer of the Seven Last Words
O divine Jesus, incarnate Son of god, for our salvation you consented
to be born in a stable, to spend you whole life amid poverty, trials,
and misery, and to die surrounded by sufferings on the Cross. At the
hour of my death, please tell your Father, Father, forgive them. Tell
your Mother, Behold your child. Tell my soul, This day you shall be
with me in paradise.
My God, my God, do not forsake me in that hour. I thirst, yes, my
soul thirsts for you who are the fountain of living waters. My life
passes away like a shadow; in a short while everything will be
accomplished. Therefore, my adored Saviour, from this moment and for
all eternity, into your hands I commend my spirit. Lord Jesus,
receive my soul.
The Seven Last Words
"Father, forgive them; they do not know what they are doing" (Lk
23:34)
"I assure you: this day you will be with Me in paradise" (Lk 23:43)
"Woman, there is your Son" (Jn 19:26)
"My God, My God, why have You forsaken Me?" (Mt 27:46
"I am thirsty" (Jn 19:30)
"Now it is finished" (Jn 19:30)
"Father, into Your hands I commend My spirit" (Lk 23:46)
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