Blessed Bertrand of Garrigues

A motive of zeal had made him work without interruption until the year 1215; the same motive led him to sacrifice his freedom by receiving the religious habit from the hands of Saint Dominic , and by devoti saint Dominique Founder of the Order of Preachers and mission companion of Peter. ng himself for the rest of his days to the functions of the holy ministry. As if he had begun from that moment to live for his neighbor, for the service of the Church, and for the glory of God, he increased his austerities, his fasts, his prayers, and redoubled his vigilance over himself, in order to arrive at perfect holiness through the mortification of the senses and the holy rigors of penance. This is why historians call him a man of eminent holiness and inflexible rigor toward himself. The idea that Father Bertrand had of the sovereign holiness of the Master he had the honor to serve made him regard even the slightest faults as very great infidelities; he wept continually for his sins with such vivid sorrow and such an abundance of tears that Saint Dominic, perhaps fearing that there might be some excess in this, and wishing to test his disciple, ordered him to moderate these outward signs of repentance and henceforth to weep only for the conversion of sinners. Father Bertrand's obedience was prompt, because his humility was sincere. As a regular companion of Saint Dominic, he more than once deserved to be a witness to his miracles. Like him, he spoke, on one occasion, a language he had not learned; and on another encounter, while traveling with this great Saint, he saw an abundant rain fall beside them, flooding all the paths without their own garments being wetted by a single drop of water. During the life of Saint Dominic, Bertrand kept the silence commanded of him regarding all these facts; and when he believed he should speak of them to give glory to God, he attributed nothing to himself, and did not even make known the part he had had in this last favor.

After having governed the community of Saint-Romain for some time, and having since contributed to the foundation of the famous convent of Saint couvent de Saint-Jacques Famous Dominican convent in Paris. -Jacques in Paris, he was elected in 1221 as the first provincial of the province of Provence, then united with that of Toulouse. Without ever interrupting the exercise of preaching, he fulfilled the duties of his office with all the attention, zeal, and love of regularity that one could expect from a man filled with the spirit of God. In the course of his missions, he passe d throug Bouschet Place of death and burial of the saint. h Bouschet and wished to make the word of God hea rd by the Cistercian n Religieuses de Cîteaux Monastic order whose nuns resided at Bouschet. uns, who had a very flourishing monastery in that town. It was there that the Lord awaited him to reward his apostolic virtues. He was struck there by a mortal illness and ended his holy life there with a precious death in the year 1230.

His body was interred in the abbey church with all the pomp that his great reputation deserved and the regrets due to his memory. Guidenois, cited by Malv enda, sa Malvenda Historian cited as a source for miracles. ys that it was found whole and without any corruption twenty-three years after his death; he assures that in his time various miracles were performed at his tomb, and that the inhabitants of the region honored him under the name of Saint Bertrand. This cult has continued to the present day. An ancient statue, said to be that of this great servant of God, is even preciously preserved today in the church of Bouschet.

Vies des Saints et des Bienheureux du diocèse de Valençais, by M. l'abbé Nadal M. l'abbé Nadal Author of the biography of the diocese of Valençais. .