Blessed Bertrand of Garrigues

06/09/15

Today's Saint:
Blessed Bertrand of Garrigues

-Born in France
-Country was facing civil war and wrong ideologies
-Became Cistercian monk
-Later he met St. Dominic and joined him for new congregation
-Congregation of Dominicans were called Preachers
-Accompanied Dominic for several mission
-Started new monasteries
-Lived humble by preaching people about true faith

Bertrand lived at the turn of the thirteenth century. His country, France, was troubled by civil war. There was also great confusion about Church teaching. Bertrand’s parents managed to live a peaceful life and they brought up their son in the true faith. In 1200, the Cistercian monasteries were attacked by an army led by Raymond of Toulouse. He believed in an erroneous teaching called Albigensianism. He attacked people who did not believe as he did. Raymond of Toulouse especially persecuted the Cistercian monks because they were trying very hard to help people understand the true Catholic faith. Bertrand became a Cistercian priest. Around 1208, he met St. Dominic. This was God’s invitation to him to begin a very important ministry. He was one of the six men who joined Dominic in 1215 to form a new religious congregation, the Order of Preachers. They are often called “Dominicans,” after their founder. Blessed Bertrand was sent to Paris to start the Order there. After a short while, St. Dominic called for Friar Bertrand to go to Bologna to establish the Order of Preachers there. Bertrand obeyed happily. Meanwhile, the Order was growing. They preached the Gospel message in the towns and countryside. They wanted people to know and love their Catholic faith. In 1219, Bertrand accompanied St. Dominic on a trip to Paris. He loved and admired St. Dominic very much. In 1221, the Dominicans had a big meeting called a General Chapter. Bertrand was there. The Order was divided into eight provinces so that the religious and their ministries could be more effective. Bertrand was made the superior or provincial of southern France. He spent the rest of his life preaching and helping people grow closer to God. He died in 1230 and was proclaimed a blessed by Pope Leo XIII in 1881.

When we wonder about what to do with our lives, we can pray to Blessed Bertrand. By living our faith and taking time each day for prayer, we’ll learn God’s plan for us.