Saint Claude de la Colombiere (1641-1682)
Holy Card: Ecrater.com
(Franciscan Media) Born in France Lyons, Claude de la Colombiere during his youthful days studied philosophy, writing and public speaking–It was during this period according to the Vatican that Claude first sensed his vocation to a religious life in the Society of Jesus–By the age of 17, he entered the ‘Jesuit Novitiate’ at Avignon. In 1660 he moved from the Novitiate to College (also in Avignon) where he pronounced his first vows, completing his studies in philosophy, following which he taught grammar and the humanities for five years.
In 1666 Claude went to the College of Clermont in Paris to study theology, he was assigned by his Superiors the additional responsibility of tutoring the children of Jean-Baptiste Colbert, Minister of Finance for King Louis XIV
With his theological studies completed and ordained a Jesuit Priest in 1675 he was appointed Superior at Paray-Le-Monial in France where the Convent of St. Margaret Mary was located, here Fr. Claude became the spiritual director, encouraging her in the spread of the devotion to the Sacred Heart.
Fr. Claude became known for his remarkable gift of judgment together with his solid ministry and was sent to England to be a Court Preacher to the Duchess of York, taking up residence in Saint James Palace in London, his radiant personality and talents were noted by everyone.
The intense pace of Fr. Claude’s work and poor climate combined to undermine his health and evidence of a serious pulmonary disease began to appear.
When the alleged ‘Popish Plot’ of 1678′ occurred, Fr. Claude was accused of complicity and taken to the severe King’s Bench Prison, where he remained for 3 weeks in very poor condition, until he was expelled from England by royal decree returning to France.
The events in England further weakened Fr. Claude, during the Summer of 1681 in a very weakened condition, he returned to spending Paray-Le-Monial, where he spent his last days.
Saint Claude de la Colombiere –Image Courtesy: Pinterest
On the 15 February, 1682 during the First Sunday of Lent, Fr. Claude passed away–In June, 1929 Pope Pius XI Beatified Claude de la Colombiere, subsequently being Canonized on the 31 May, 1992 by Pope Saint John Paul II
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