Saint Helinand of Froidmont

Of an ardent nature, when he had cultivated his mind through the study of the sciences and arts, he seemed to forget the advice of that excellent master and to attach himself miserably to vanity and voluptuousness. A poet, and in that cap acity agreeable to K roi Philippe-Auguste King of France, founder of an abbey dedicated to the saint. ing Philip Augustus and the great lords, he took great pleasure in sharing their entertainments, which he enlivened for his part by composing praises or satires about each of them.

But it was the time when Saint Eustace, saint Eustache Roman general who converted to Christianity after a vision. F ulcon, Fulcon A famous preacher in France at the time of the saint's conversion. and others were preaching in France, and, through their preachings, were bringing a great number of sinners back to God. Elinand also looked into himself, and was soon changed into another man; leaving the dangerous caresses of the world, he went to hide himself in the monaste monastère de Froidmond Cistercian monastery where Helinand made his profession. ry of Froidm ont, among Cisterciens Monastic order to which Bertrand and the Abbey of Grandselve belong. the Cistercians, who, under the guidance of William, their second abbot, served with fidelity under the banners of Christ.

A faithful observer of the monastic rule, he gave himself entirely to prayer, vigils, abstinence, and other austerities, and, soon becoming a model of perfection, he was judged worthy of being raised to the priesthood. He showed himself a priest in the full strength of the term, he who each day immolated his body and soul with Jesus Christ through the sword of maceration.

Burning with a singular devotion toward Jesus crucified and the Virgin, Mother of God; remarkable for his good works as well as his doctrine, he often spoke in the presence of his brothers to raise them to the greatest heights of religion. He attracted many people to the monastic life, and as soon as someone, forgetting what he had promised to God, began to drift, he did everything to make him triumph over the enticements of the world and of nature. He persuaded his brother William to renounce the world to come and join him in his monastery; and there was a certain Radulphus, a deserter of religious discipline, whom he called back through his letters.

He constantly maintained familiar relations with the bishops of Beauvais Beauvais City and diocese of the saint's origin. , Senlis, and Orléans, and with the greatest lords. He sometimes had to leave his monastery to preach; thus, he delivered a sermon before the Fathers of the Counci l of Toulouse. He p concile de Toulouse Ecclesiastical event where Hélinand delivered a sermon. ossessed such authority that he did not hesitate to remind his superiors of their duties; yet his humility led him to refuse splendid dignities.

Always joyful in the last rank, which he favored, content amidst the macerations he inflicted upon his flesh, and living only for God alone, he gradually consumed himself in the labors of monastic life, and finally exchanged exile for the homeland, in the year 1237, on February 3rd. He composed annals, and wrote on the lives of the saints, the Holy Scriptures, the customs of monks and kings, and even homilies full of a fragrance of piety that recalls Saint Berna rd. These var saint Bernard Contemporary and admirer of Guigo. ious writings earned him no mediocre renown among his contemporaries.

He was no less famous for his holiness, which was manifested by many miracles; the Order of Cîteaux counts him among its Saints; he was especially honored at the mon astery of Froidmont. T monastère de Froidmont Cistercian monastery where Helinand made his profession. his abbey was founded two leagues from Beauvais in 1134. Its last regular abbot was Claude de Bèz e, uncle of th Claude de Bèze Last regular abbot of Froidmont. e heresiarch.