Blessed John Eustace
First Abbot of Le Jardinet
Jean Eustache was the first abbot of Le Jardinet in the 15th century. After joining the Order of Cîteaux at Moulin, he reformed the convent of Le Jardinet with the support of Philip the Good. Known for his great temperance and gift of prophecy, he died in 1441 after thirty-nine years as abbot.
Guided reading
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BLESSED JEAN EUSTACHE,
Formation and monastic transition
Jean began his religious life with the Canons of Saint Augustine in Mons before joining the Cistercian Order at the Abbey of Moulin for its rigor.
From Jean Augustinian and later Cistercian religious, reformer of the Abbey of Le Jardinet. his youth, Jean withdrew to the convent of the Canons Regular of Saint Augustine in Mons, in Mons Site of John's first monastic retreat. Hainaut. Having learned that in the vicinity of Namur the Rul e of Cîteaux had Règle de Cîteaux Monastic order to which Bertrand and the Abbey of Grandselve belong. been restored to its original severity and was observed there in a manner worthy of all praise, he departed, with the consent of his superiors, for the convent of M couvent de Moulin Cistercian convent located on the Meuse. oulin, located on the Meuse, between Namur and Dinant. He had been there for some years and had led an exemplary life when the Abbot of Aulne sent him to Le Jardi Jardinet Convent of nuns reformed by Jean into a community of monks. net (Hortulus Beatae Mariae) to re-establish the convent of the nuns of the Cistercian Order. He found three nuns there, whose irregular conduct forced him to place them in other convents; and having brought in some monks from Moulin, whose number increased by three young ecclesiastics who came under his direction out of a desire to lead a truly monastic life, he spent his days there in simplicity and the greatest poverty. His conduct greatly pleased Philip the Good, Duke of Burgundy and B Philippe le Bon Duke of Burgundy and Brabant, protector of John. rabant, and his wife Elizabeth; this prince, havin g come on Élisabeth Wife of Philip the Good. e day to Le Jardinet, gave him a thousand gold ducats to build a new oratory. He lived there with such great temperance that, in the space of seven years, he had drunk neither wine nor cider, which inspired some other convents to follow his example. It is said that God honored him with the gift o f prophecy, whic don de prophétie Spiritual capacity attributed to John by divine grace. h he used to assist his neighbor, whom he otherwise sought constantly to help through all kinds of works of mercy.
Reform and foundation at Le Jardinet
Sent to reform the convent of Le Jardinet, he replaced the nuns with a community of monks living in poverty and simplicity.
After having been abbot for thirty-nine years, he was, at his repeated request, relieved of this burden by his superiors, in order to be able to better prepare himself for death, which came to deliver him from this valley of tears four years later (1441), at the age of seventy-eight. His body was buried in front of the high altar, in the convent church.
Princely patronage and ascetic life
Supported by the Duke of Burgundy Philip the Good, he distinguished himself by extreme temperance and gifts of prophecy placed at the service of others.
Taken from the Continuators of Godeau, Brussels edition, 1854.
Retirement and death
After thirty-nine years as abbot, he retired to prepare for death, which occurred in 1441 at the age of seventy-eight.
After having been abbot for thirty-nine years, he was, at his repeated request, relieved of this burden by his superiors, in order to be able to better prepare for death, which came to deliver him from this valley of tears four years later (1441), at the age of seventy-eight. His body was buried before the high altar, in the convent church.
Historical sources
The text is based on the 1854 edition of the Continuators of Godeau.
Taken from the Continuators of Godeau, Brussels edition, 1854.
Annexes & related entities
Structured data for exploration: events, miracles, quotes, places, attributes, patronages, and important entities cited in the text.
Key Events
- Entered the Canons Regular of Saint Augustine in Mons
- Transfer to the convent of Moulin to follow the Cistercian rule
- Mission to Le Jardinet to reform the convent
- Appointment as first abbot of Le Jardinet
- Meeting with Philip the Good and gift of one thousand ducats
- Resignation from his office as abbot after thirty-nine years
- Died at the age of seventy-eight
Miracles
- Gift of prophecy