Thirty-third bishop of Thérouanne in the 12th century, Didier was a zealous and respected prelate, advisor to popes and friend of the abbot of Clairvaux. He founded the Cistercian abbey of Blandecques in 1186 before retiring from his office three years before his death in 1194.
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SAINT DIDIER, BISHOP OF THÉROUANNE (1194).
Origins and Episcopate
Son of Roger the Younger, Didier became the thirty-third bishop of Thérouanne, a diocese he led with zeal for more than thirty years.
Didier Didier Thirty-third bishop of Thérouanne and founder of an abbey. had as his fat her Roger the Roger le Jeune Fourth castellan of Lille and father of Saint Didier. Younger, fourth of the castellans of Lille. He was the thirty-third bishop of Thérou Thérouanne Episcopal see of Saint Folquin. anne, and governed this diocese with the greatest zeal from 1159 until 1191. In 1186, he founded the be autiful abbey of Blan abbaye de Blandecques Cistercian abbey founded by Didier in 1186. decques, near Saint-Omer, for religious of the Cistercian Orde Ordre de Cîteaux Monastic order to which Bertrand and the Abbey of Grandselve belong. r. A miraculous image was venerated there for a very long time under the name of Our Lad Notre-Dame de Liesse Miraculous image venerated at the Abbey of Blandecques. y of Joy (Notre-Dame de Liesse). Didier enjoyed the holiest reputation, even during his lifetime. He had relations with the most distinguished figures in the Church, notably with the abbo t of C Gérard Abbot of Clairvaux killed in 1175, close to Didier. lairvaux, Gerard, who was killed in 1175. The sovereign pontiffs themselves entrusted him with special missions, and confided the most difficult litigious cases to his decisions. Didier died on January 20, 1194, three years after having resigned from his pastoral off ice. Ra Raisain Hagiographer who inscribed Didier in the sacred records. isai n and M Molanus Hagiographer cited for his ignorance of the saint's history. olanus had inscribed him in their sacred fasti on January 20, under the title of blessed.
Foundations and ecclesiastical influence
He founded the Cistercian abbey of Blandecques in 1186 and maintained close relations with the pontifical authorities and the Abbot of Clairvaux.
Notice provided by Mr. Van Driva M. Van Drival Director at the major seminary of Arras and author of the notice. l, director at the major seminary of A Arras City where Frédéric serves as provost. rras.
End of life and recognition
After his resignation in 1191, he died in 1194 and was inscribed as blessed in the sacred fasti by Raisain and Molanus.
Didier's father was Roger the Younger, the fourth of the castellans of Lille. He was the thirty-third bishop of Thérouanne, and governed this diocese with the greatest zeal from 1159 until 1191. In 1186, he founded the beautiful abbey of Blandecques, near Saint-Omer, for religious of the Cistercian Order. A miraculous image was venerated there for a very long time under the name of Our Lady of Joy (Notre-Dame de Liesse). Didier enjoyed the holiest reputation, even during his lifetime. He had relations with the most distinguished figures in the Church, notably with the abbot of Clairvaux, Gerard, who was killed in 1175. The sovereign pontiffs themselves entrusted him with special missions, and confided the most difficult litigious causes to his decisions. Didier died on January 20, 1194, three years after resigning from his pastoral office. Raisain and Molanus inscribed him in their sacred fasti on January 20, under the title of blessed.
Documentary sources
The biographical notice is derived from the works of M. Van Drival, director at the major seminary of Arras.
Notice provided by M. Van Drival, director at the major seminary of Arras.
Annexes & related entities
Structured data for exploration: events, miracles, quotes, places, attributes, patronages, and important entities cited in the text.
Key Events
- Election as the thirty-third bishop of Thérouanne in 1159
- Governance of the diocese until 1191
- Foundation of the Abbey of Blandecques in 1186
- Special missions entrusted by the Sovereign Pontiffs
- Resignation from his pastoral office in 1191
- Died on January 20, 1194
Miracles
- Reputation for holiness during his lifetime
- Miraculous image of Our Lady of Liesse in her abbey