Blessed Rainier (Regnier) of Borgo San Sepolcro
Religious of the Order of Capuchins
Born in Tuscany around 1510, Raynier entered the Capuchins after a brief marriage imposed by his parents. Recognized for his humility, obedience, and ecstasies, he lived a life of great piety. He died in 1589 and his cult was officially authorized by Pope Pius VII.
Guided reading
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THE B. RAYNIER OR REGNIER OF BORGO-SAN-SEPOLCRO,
Youth and vocation
Born around 1510 in Tuscany, Raynier manifested an early piety and a desire for virginity, although he married briefly out of obedience before entering the Capuchins.
Blessed Raynier was bo Raynier Italian Capuchin friar of the 16th century, known for his humility and miracles. rn around 1510, in Borgo-San-Sepolcro (Tuscany), to poor and virtuous parents. His mother had him given the name of Saint at hi s bap Saint Italian Capuchin friar of the 16th century, known for his humility and miracles. tism, and watched over his childhood in a very special way. The child, responding to her care, advanced rapidly in the love of God. He took delight in prayer, and, while still very young, he would go each night to the Capuchin convent of Mont-Cassal and kneel before the doors of the church while the religious recited Matins. The desire for the most sublime virtues of Christianity devoured his soul; he had above all a great esteem for purity and desired to keep his virginity all his life. To obey his parents, he entered nonetheless into the bonds of marriage; but God enabled him to satisfy his heart by taking his wife from him after a few days. To lead a more perfect life, the Saint entered the Order of the Capuchins where he received the name o f Raynier by which Ordre des Capucins A branch of the Franciscan Order that Raynier joined. he is known.
Religious life and virtues
Within the order, he distinguished himself by his humility and obedience, overcoming temptations and fleeing the renown of his own holiness.
The devil, jealous of his progress in piety, stirred up harsh temptations against him; but Raynier, aided by the grace of God, emerged victorious from the combat and strengthened himself more and more in the ways of perfection. The two virtues that were especially noticeable in him were obedience and humility. When it was a question of obedience, nothing seemed impossible to him, and he gave admirable examples of humility. The reputation of his holiness did not take long to spread and drew to him the veneration of all those who heard of him. He sought as much as possible to escape the external tributes that this reputation brought him. To avoid the crowds of people that usually gathered around him when he was traveling, he would leave before daybreak the places where he had spent the night.
Death and Cult
Raynier died in 1589; the popular turnout at his funeral and the miracles at his tomb led to his beatification by Pope Pius VII.
When he gave himself to prayer, he was often enraptured in spirit. Having arrived at this high degree of union with God, death no longer held any terrors for him, and when heaven had revealed the hour to him, he prepared for it with ardor, but with the greatest calm. He died in 1589, after having received the last sacraments with fervor. As soon as the news of his passing had spread, the people flocked to his convent in such a great crowd that it was necessary to close the doors; but they entered through the windows and fought over his clothes to have something of his, and the superior of the convent was obliged to have his body locked away in order to keep it intact. The miracles that occurred at his tomb led to work on his beatification. Pius VII authorized his cult and he is now Pie VII Pope who authorized the cult of Blessed Rainier. honored in the Order of Saint Francis.
The miracle of the bull
A miraculous episode recounts how he survived without injury an attack by a furious bull while he was in prayer.
The bull is the characteristic of Blessed Raynier. It is said that while he was in prayer, he was attacked by a furious bull that caught him between its horns and threw him into the air. The servant of God fell back down without injuries and continued his orison.
Sources
The text is based on the works of Charles Butler, Abbé Tressaux, and Father Cahier.
Drawn from the Supplem ent of Charles Charles Butler Author whose works served as a source for the biography. Butler, by Abbé Tres abbé Tressaux Translator or adapter of Butler's sources. saux, and the Characteristics of the Saints, by Rev. Fr. R. P. Cahier Author of the work 'Caractéristiques des Saints'. Cahier.
Annexes & related entities
Structured data for exploration: events, miracles, quotes, places, attributes, patronages, and important entities cited in the text.
Key Events
- Born around 1510 in Borgo San Sepolcro
- Marriage in obedience to his parents
- Widowed after a few days of marriage
- Entered the Order of Friars Minor Capuchin
- Life of prayer and ecstasies
- Died in 1589 after receiving the sacraments
Miracles
- Attacked by a furious bull, he was thrown into the air and landed without any injury while continuing his prayer
- Miracles performed at his tomb after his death