Skip to main content

Biography of St. William of Bourges


Birth: ~1155
Death: 1209
Feast Day: January 10

William Berruyer was a member of the family of the ancient counts of Nevers. He was educated by his uncle, Peter the hermit, who was archdeacon of Soissons. As a child, he learned to turn away from the frivolity and shallowness of the world, the pursuit of wealth, and the temptations such things can bring. He grew in holiness and wisdom, working hard at his studies.
He was made canon, of Soissons, and then of Paris. Later he resolved to abandon the world and entered the Order of Grandmont, where in solitude and austerity. He was content in this life until strife arose between priests and lay brothers within the order, so he decided to join the Cistercian order, newly founded and noted for their more austere practices and the saintliness of their members. He received his habit in the Cistercian abbey of Pontigny. During his time there, he grew to be known as a perfect example of living in monastic life. He was chosen as prior of Pontigny, and later as abbot of Fountaine-Jean, in the diocese of Sens, (a brother house of Pontigny) and then abbot of Chaalis, near Senlis, a larger brother house of Pontigny.
St. William was s model of humility and generosity. His tremendously austere life helped him grow in purity and his closeness to God flourished through his earnest prayer life. He is said to have communicated with God and tasted the sweetness of Heaven while on Earth. He carried himself with a joyful demeanor despite the indulgences he constantly withheld from himself.
When the archbishop of Bourges died in 1200, the clergy of that church requested his brother Eudo, bishop of Paris, to come and assist them in the election of a successor. The clergy had narrowed their choices to three abbots of the Cistercian Order, as the Cistercians were renowned for holy men. Eudo placed the names of the three men on the altar, prayed to God that the name selected would be he who God's Will demanded. He drew the name of the abbot William. The clergy confirmed the choice.
William was shocked and saddened by the news. He wished to decline the appointment, but only by virtue of his obedience to the Pope, and his general, the abbot of Citeaux he accepted. With great grief at the magnitude of his new responsibilities, he left the solitary life and was consecrated bishop at Bourges. He intensified his efforts at personal sanctity, knowing that his first task was to purify himself before working for the sanctification of his flock. He further increased all of his practices of austerity, in order to do penance for others, as well as for himself. He always wore a hair-shirt under his religious habit and never increased or decreased his clothing in winter or summer, offering it as one of his many penances. He never ate any meat, but had it on hand for strangers who visited. He cared deeply for his flock, especially in providing for the spiritual and physical needs of the poor. He had a balanced approach in his interactions with sinners, showing mercy and compassion toward the penitent and a resolute firmness with the impenitent. This produced numerous conversions and reversions to the Catholic faith and the devout life.
He defended the rights of his church, even against the king himself, weathering threats to confiscate his lands. He showed great humility and resolution in correcting members of his chapter and other clergy. His passion and devotion inspired the conversion of many of the Albigenses, who were heretics of his time. He was preparing himself for a mission among them when he contracted his final illness. He preached a farewell sermon to his people, which only made his illness worse, and he was then confined to his bed. As he sensed the end approaching, he received first his last rights; then, in order to receive the viaticum, he rose out of his bed, fell on his knees in tears, and prayed prostrate on the floor with his arms stretched out in the form of a cross. The next night, he knew that his life was passing, so he desired to pray the evening prayers, which are said at midnight; but made the sign of the cross on his lips and breast and was only able to pronounce the two first words.
Then, he made a sign to those with him and he was laid on ashes in the hair-cloth shirt, which he always privately wore. This is the position in which he died, a little past midnight, on the morning of the 10th of January, in 1209. His body was interred in his cathedral; and is said to be the place of many miracles. He was canonized by Pope Honorius III in 1218.
His relics highly venerated until 1562, when those that remained in Bourges were burnt and scattered by the Huguenots when they plundered the cathedral of the city. Some of his relics survive at Chaalis and in the church of the college of Navarre, in Paris, as they were given to these cities prior to the desecration by the Huguenots.
                                                                         

Comments

  1. Play at Mohegan Sun - DRMCD
    You can have fun playing with a 상주 출장샵 partner 목포 출장마사지 in a 의왕 출장안마 world-class 밀양 출장안마 indoor pool party. Our room at Mohegan Sun is one of 과천 출장마사지 the most stylish and relaxing amenities in the

    ReplyDelete

Post a Comment

Popular posts from this blog

DIVINE MERCY CHAPLET SONG

Without the mercy of God, no one can survive in the world....we are all as we are because of his great mercy to human being.....Always lets not ignore his great love to us...but let us bow and pray for his mercy always.....Ameenn

LORD, ADD US FAITH.....AMEEEENNNNN.

Listen to this church music, every time we need to pray to Jesus to give us the faith so as we can live according with his will....His disciples prayed to him "LORD ADD US FAITH" it must be our prayer also every moment of our life lets be connected to God through his beloved Son...Jesus.