dimanche 9 décembre 2012

Saint PIERRE FOURIER, prêtre, fondateur de la Congrégation de Notre-Dame et confesseur


Saint Pierre Fourier, Musée Lorrain. Huile sur cuivre.


Saint Pierre Fourier

Prêtre à Gray, en Franche-Comté (+ 1640)

Fils d'un marchand lorrain, il fit de bonnes études. A vingt ans, il entra chez les Chanoines Réguliers de Saint Augustin. Prêtre, il récusa la charge de professeur de théologie pour devenir curé d'une petite commune où dominent les protestants au point qu'on appelait sa paroisse de Mattaincourt, "la petite Genève". Mais cela ne le décourageait pas. Il réorganise sa paroisse, fonde une caisse de secours mutuel pour venir en aide aux plus pauvres, crée une association pour l'éducation des filles, association qui deviendra la Congrégation Notre-Dame , animée par Alix Le Clerc à partir de 1628. Il se voit confier la réforme des Chanoines de Saint Augustin dont il devient le supérieur général. Pendant le même temps, il parcourt la région pour prêcher, passe ses nuits à écrire des lettres. En 1636, Richelieu l'exile en Franche-Comté où il terminera ses jours. 

Né à Mirecourt le 30 novembre 1565, brillant étudiant à l'université de Pont-à-Mousson, chanoine régulier à Chaumousey, il est ordonné prêtre le 25 février 1589 à Trèves.

Il réforme son abbaye puis devient curé de Mattaincourt pendant 30 ans, mettant en pratique sa devise : "Ne nuire à personne, être utile à tous".

Avec Alix Leclerc il fonde en 1597 la Congrégation des Chanoinesses de Notre Dame pour l'éducation chrétienne des jeunes filles.

Il meurt en exil à Gray le 9 décembre 1640. Béatifié le 29 janvier 1730, il est canonisé par Léon XIII le 27 mai 1897. Son corps est conservé en l'église paroissiale de Mattaincourt, il est le patron et le modèle des prêtres vosgiens. (diocèse de Saint-Dié)

Pierre Fourier naquit à Mirecourt, dans les Vosges, le 30 novembre 1565. A l'âge de vingt ans, il entra chez les chanoines réguliers de Chaumouzez. Comme curé de Mattaincourt, il régénéra entièrement cette paroisse, grâce à son zèle pastoral et à l'exemple de ses grandes vertus. Il fonda la congrégation des Chanoinesses régulières de Notre-Dame, destinée à l'éducation des jeunes filles. Il introduisit aussi la réforme chez les chanoines réguliers. C'est à Gray qu'il mourut le 9 décembre 1640. Son corps repose dans l'église paroissiale de Mattaincourt. (Source: Diocèse de Metz)

Des internautes nous signalent:

- "Saint Pierre Fourier était curé de Mattaincourt en Lorraine. Il est né à Mirecourt, à côté de Mattaincourt (actuellement département des Vosges). C'est un fidèle Lorrain comme il a été fidèle à Notre Seigneur. C'est pour sanctionner cette fidélité au duc de Lorraine que Richelieu l'a exilé à Gray en Franche Comté en 1636. Il est resté environ 40 ans curé dans cette petite paroisse rurale de Lorraine parce que c'était son choix."

- "Pierre Fourier a plusieurs fois refusé d'être élevé à l'épiscopat. Il fait partie des grands saints du 17e siècle fondateurs de congrégation féminine comme François de Sales et Vincent de Paul."

- "Pierre Fourier n'était pas prêtre à Gray. Il y était en exil (la Franche-Comté étant alors terre espagnole) préférant être fidèle à son souverain légitime le duc de Lorraine plutôt que se soumettre au roi de France dont les armées occupaient sa patrie."

À Gray en Bourgogne, où il s'était retiré en exil, en 1640, le trépas de saint Pierre Fourier, prêtre. Il avait fait son choix de la paroisse misérable de Mattaincourt en Lorraine et il en fut un curé admirable; il restaura les Chanoines réguliers du Saint-Sauveur et fonda l'Institut des Chanoinesses régulières de Notre-Dame pour l'éducation gratuite des filles.

Martyrologe romain

SOURCE : https://nominis.cef.fr/contenus/saint/240/Saint-Pierre-Fourier.html


Saint Pierre Fourier

Fondateur de la Congrégation de Notre-Dame

(† 1640)

C'est à Mirecourt, en Lorraine indépendante, que naquit, le 30 novembre 1565, Pierre Fourier, de parents foncièrement chrétiens. Ceux-ci voulurent nommer leurs trois fils, Pierre, Jacques et Jean, afin qu'autant de fois ils se souviendraient d'eux-mêmes, ils fussent poussés à ne pas se contenter d'une vertu médiocre.

Pierre mit généreusement à profit ces leçons: ferveur dans la prière, obéissance prompte et affectueuse, douceur inaltérable, fuite des plus innocentes familiarités et des moindres mensonges. A quinze ans son père le conduisit à l'Université de Pont-à-Mousson. Son séjour se résume dans cet éloge décerné par ses maîtres: Ou il prie, ou il étudie.

Pierre Fourier entra ensuite chez les Chanoines Réguliers de Saint-Augustin: il était appelé à travailler à la réforme de cet Ordre alors fort relâché. Après six ans d'études théologiques à Pont-à-Mousson, il rentra au monastère. Sa ferveur fit scandale parmi ses confrères; il dut se retirer, et accepta la petite paroisse de Mattaincourt, aussi indifférente que dépravée.

Le premier sermon du nouveau curé de Mattaincourt fut si pathétique qu'après quarante ans on s'en souvenait encore. Mais personne ne le retint autant que Pierre Fourier lui-même, pour le réaliser dans sa conduite. Brûlant d'amour pour Dieu et le prochain, il se met à l'oeuvre avec un courage et une persévérance qui ne se démentent jamais. Il ménage le temps comme un baume précieux dont il ne faut pas, dit-il perdre une seule goutte à escient.

Attentif au bien des âmes, il l'est aussi à celui des corps: il secourt ses paroissiens dans leurs nécessités, leurs embarras, leurs discordes, leurs intérêts, pour la sauvegarde desquels il fonde la Bourse Saint-Epvre. Il passe des nuits entières auprès des malades. Un jour il prête à l'un ses couvertures, à l'autre ses draps, à un autre la paillasse et le bois du lit. Un pauvre soldat, auquel, le jour de Pâques, il a donné un repas, lui dit: Je suis content. Je prie Dieu de bon coeur, pour l'honneur de Son Église, que tous les curés vous ressemblent!

Mais c'est surtout pour les enfants qu'il déploie son affectueuse sollicitude. Aussi lui rendent-ils amour pour amour. A la vue de l'insuffisance de l'instruction, il crée pour eux une Congrégation de maîtresses, qui, aux exercices de la vie religieuse, à la clôture même, joignent l'enseignement. Quelques jeunes filles, à la tête desquelles est Alix Le Clerc, forment le noyau de l'Ordre des Chanoinesses de Saint-Augustin Notre-Dame.

La fidélité de Pierre Fourier aux Princes lorrains sauva pour un siècle la nationalité de la Lorraine, mais empoisonna ses derniers jours; car Richelieu ne put lui pardonner cet échec à sa politique. Traqué de maison en maison, le curé de Mattaincourt en fut réduit à s'exiler en Franche-Comté et à y passer les quatre dernières années de sa vie. Pendant ce temps, Mattaincourt était pillé à plusieurs reprises.

Réfugié à Gray, Pierre Fourier y fit ce qu'il avait toujours fait; il employa ses dernières forces à secourir et à consoler le prochain. En octobre 1639, il tomba malade, et après deux mois de maladie, il exhala son âme avec ces paroles qu'il avait tant de fois répétées: Nous avons un bon Maître et une bonne Souveraine! C'était le 9 décembre 1640.

J.-M. Planchet, Nouvelle Vie des Saints, p. 478



Fontaine Saint-Pierre-Fourier, Grande-Rue à Gray (Haute Saône)


Pierre Fourier est né à Mirecourt le 30 novembre 1565 de commerçants aisés. Ayant reçu de ses parents une éducation familiale très soignée, il fit ses premières études dans sa ville natale parmi les « enfants prêtres » (enfants destinés au sacerdoce),puis à partir de 1578, il les continua à l’Université de Pont-à-Mousson où il manifesta d’exceptionnelles qualités intellectuelles en même temps qu’une très vive piété. En 1585, il entra chez les Chanoines réguliers de Chaumouzey près d’Épinal. Ordonné prêtre en 1589, il reprit l’étude de la théologie à Pont-à-Mousson, puis rentra dans son abbaye et en 1597, fut nommé curé de Mattaincourt, gros village commerçant, voisin de sa ville natale.

A une grande austérité de vie, Pierre Fourier joignit une activité pastorale admirable : prédication et enseignement solidement assis sur de vastes connaissances et sur un travail ininterrompu ; charité inépuisable à l’égard de tous ; cérémonies du culte célébrées avec un éclat inaccoutumé.

Pierre Fourier ne limita pas ses activités à la seule paroisse de Mattaincourt. Soucieux de l’instruction des petites filles, il fonda dès 1597, avec le concours de la bienheureuse Alix Le Clerc une association qui devint bientôt la « Congrégation de Notre-Dame », et se répandit rapidement dans le pays, et même en France voisine. Il entreprit également la réforme des Chanoines réguliers, ordre auquel il appartenait, et groupa leurs maisons en une « Congrégation de Notre-Sauveur ». Il fut encore un missionnaire zélé et la région de Badonviller a gardé une vive reconnaissance au « Bon Père » qui, en 1625, la ramena du protestantisme au sein de l’Église catholique. Conseiller volontiers écouté à la cour de Lorraine, Pierre Fourier fut, à la fin de sa vie, victime de son patriotisme. Il dut quitter son pays envahi par les troupes françaises, et mourut en exil à Gray, le 9 décembre 1640. Il a été canonisé par le pape Léon XIII le 27 mai 1897.



Saint Pierre Fourier [1565 - 1640]

Saint lorrain ~ Saint Patron de la Troupe 1ere Nancy

Devise : «Être utile à tous, ne nuire à personne»

Saint Pierre Fourier fait partie des grands saints du 17e siècle.

Sa sainteté s'est déployée à chaque étape de sa vie.

L'enfant

Pierre naît à Mirecourt, en Lorraine indépendante, le 30 novembre 1565, de parents foncièrement chrétiens. Il montre, dès le plus jeune âge, des qualités de ferveur dans la prière et d'obéissance prompte et affectueuse envers ses parents.

L'étudiant

A quinze ans, son père le conduit à l'université de Pont-à Mousson (créée en 1572 par le Duc Charles III) où il suit une formation dirigée par les pères Jésuites. Son séjour se résume dans cet éloge "ou il prie, ou il étudie".

Après six ans d'études théologiques à Pont-à-Mousson, il devient moine au sein d'un monastère de Chanoines réguliers de St Augustin, à l'abbaye de Chaumoussey, près d'Epinal.

Le réformateur

Pierre s'emploie à réformer la vie religieuse de cette abbaye qui était tombée dans un certain laxisme.

Le Curé de Mattaincourt

En 1597, alors qu'il n'a que trente ans, il est nommé curé de la paroisse de Mattaincourt dans les Vosges.

Cette paroisse était surnommée "la petite Genève". En effet, de nombreux protestants y résidaient alors.

Le premier sermon du nouveau curé fut si pathétique qu'après quarante ans, on s'en souvenait encore.

Brûlant d'amour pour Dieu et son prochain, il se met à l'oeuvre avec courage et persévérance.

Il ménage le temps comme un baume précieux, dont il ne faut pas, dit-il, perdre une seule goutte à escient.

Attentif au bien des âmes, il l'est aussi à celui des corps : il secourt ses paroissiens dans leurs nécessités, leurs embaras, leurs discordes et fonde la bourse St Epvre. Il passe des nuits entières auprès des malades. Un jour il prête à l'un sa couverture, à l'autre ses draps, à un autre la paillasse et le bois du lit.

Il prèche dans toute la Lorraine et écrit de nombreuses lettres, à tel point que sa correspondance a été rassemblée dans un ouvrage comptant de nombreux volumes.

Pierre refuse plusieurs fois d'être élevé à l'episcopat.

Le Fondateur

Mais c'est surtout pour les enfants qu'il déploie son affectueuse sollicitude. A la vue de l'insuffisance de l'instruction, il fonde la Congrégation de Notre Dame qu'il confie à Alix le Clerc. Cette congrégation est une école gratuite destinée à instruire les filles.

Il établie aussi, avec des chanoines réguliers et des prêtres, la congrégation de Notre-Sauveur.

Il invente le tableau noir qui se développera ensuite dans toutes les salles de classe.

Le patriote lorrain

Pierre Fourier est un brillant conseiller politique des ducs de Lorraine.

En 1636, Richelieu l'exile à Gray, en Franche-Comté (alors terre espagnole) où il terminera ses jours, préférant être fidèle à son souverain légitime, le duc de Lorraine, plutôt que se soumettre au roi de France, dont les armées occupaient sa patrie.

La fin de sa vie

Il s'éteint à l'âge de 76 ans, le 9 décembre 1640.

En 1853, la basilique néo-gothique Saint Pierre Fourier fut construite à Mattaincourt à la place de l'ancienne église où Pierre avait officié.

Il fut canonisé en 1847 par le Pape Pie IX.

Sa Fête

On le fête le 9 décembre.



Basilique Saint-Pierre-Fourier de Mattaincourt 


Saint Pierre Fourier

Itinéraire d'un fils de marchand drapier, de Mirecourt à Gray en passant par Mattaincourt, qui a consacré sa vie aux enfants, aux pauvres et aux malades.

C’est à Mirecourt, le 30 novembre 1565, que naît Pierre Fourier. Ses parents, profondément chrétiens, nomment leurs trois fils, Pierre, Jacques et Jean, « afin qu’autant de fois ils se souviendraient d’eux-mêmes, ils fussent poussés à ne pas se contenter d’une vertu médiocre. » Pierre a quinze ans quand son père le conduit à l’Université de Pont-à-Mousson. « Ou il prie, ou il étudie, » dit de lui l'un de ses professeurs.

La vie monastique l'attirant, il entre comme novice à l'Abbaye de Chaumousey, près d'Epinal, en 1585. Il y fait profession dans l'Ordre des chanoines réguliers de Saint-Augustin. Lorsqu'il est admis aux ordres majeurs, le siège de Toul est vacant. Il se présente alors à l'archevêque. Le 25 février 1589, il est ordonné prêtre. Ayant le choix entre trois paroisses, il choisit Mattaincourt, parce que la pratique religieuse y est la plus faible. Pierre Fourier a tout juste 30 ans quand il rejoint cette commune vosgienne ouverte aux influences protestantes. ll y demeure plus de 20 ans, entreprenant de réaliser à la lettre sa devise : « Ne nuire à personne, être utile à tous. » Faisant la démonstration d'une grande piété et d'un dévouement total envers les plus pauvres, il est à l’initiative d’une caisse mutuelle, la bourse Saint-Evre, mise en place pour éviter à ses paroissiens d’avoir à emprunter de l’argent aux usuriers ! Il passe également des nuits entières auprès des malades et partage ses effets personnels avec les nécessiteux. On prête à un pauvre soldat, auquel Pierre aurait donné un repas le jour de Pâques, l'éloge suivant : « Je suis content. Je prie Dieu de bon coeur, pour l’honneur de son Église, que tous les curés vous ressemblent ! »

L'école

Constatant l’insuffisance de l’instruction des filles, Pierre Fourier crée pour elles une Congrégation de maîtresses, conjuguant exercices de la vie religieuse et enseignement. La première école ouvre non loin de Mattaincourt, à Poussay. Quelques jeunes filles, à la tête desquelles Alix Le Clerc, forment le noyau de l’Ordre des chanoinesses de Saint-Augustin Notre-Dame. Pierre Fourier ne manque en tout cas pas d'initiatives : d'après l'historien Jean Vartier, on lui doit également l'invention du tableau noir et son introduction dans les classes !

L'exil

Alors que Louis XIII et le cardinal de Richelieu essaient d’annexer le duché de Lorraine, sa fidélité à son souverain légitime, le duc de Lorraine et de Bar Charles IV, lui vaut d’être expulsé en 1636 par le prélat. Il trouve refuge à Gray, en Franche-Comté alors possession espagnole. Il a 71 ans. À son arrivée, il ne trouve pour logement qu'un minuscule réduit dans une vieille tour carrée, ayant seulement 3 fenêtres pour l'éclairage et une vieille cheminée pour se chauffer. Il y meurt quatre ans plus tard, après avoir employé ses dernières forces à secourir son prochain. La postérité fait le reste : il est béatifié le 10 janvier 1730 et canonisé en 1847 par le pape Pie IX.



St. Peter Fourier

Known as LE BON PÈRE DE MATTAINCOURT, born at Mirecourt, Lorraine, 30 Nov., 1565 died at Gray, Haute-Saône, 9 Dec., 1640. At fifteen he was sent to the University of Pont-à-Mousson. His piety and learning led many noble families to ask him to educate their sons. He became a Canon Regular in the Abbey of Chaumousey and was ordained in 1589. By order of his abbot he returned to the university and became proficient in patristic theology; he knew the "Summa" of St. Thomas by heart. In 1597 he was made parish priest of Mattaincourt, a corrupt district threatened with the new heresy. By his prayers, instructions, and good example, religion was soon restored. Fourier did not neglect the temporal interests of his parishioners; to help those who through ill-fortune had fallen into poverty, he established a kind of mutual help bank. He instituted three sodalities, of St. Sebastian for men, of the Holy Rosary for women and of the Immaculate Conception for girls, or "Children of Mary". He composed some dialogues which treated of the virtues opposed to the vices most common among his people. These dialogues the children delivered every Sunday in public. To perpetuate his work, Peter founded in 1598 an order of women, the Congregation of Notre-Dame, who teach poor girls gratuitously. The institute spread and with some modifications was introduced into America by the Ven. Marguerite Bourgeoys (died 1700).
In 1621, by order of the Bishop of Toul, Fourier undertook the reform of the canons regular in Lorraine who in 1629 formed the Congregation of Our Saviour. Of this congregation he was made superior general in 1632. He wished his brother canons to do for boys what his nuns were doing for girls. In 1625 Peter was entrusted with the conversion of the Principality of Salm, near Nancy, which had gone over to Calvinism. In six months all the Protestants, whom he called "poor strangers", had returned to the Faith, On account of his attachment to the House of Lorraine he was driven into exile at Gray, where he died. In 1730 Benedict XIII published the Decree of his Beatification, and Leo XIII canonized him in 1897.

Sources

BEDEL, La vie du Très Révérend Père Pierre Fourier, dit vulgairement, Le Père de Mettaincourt (1645); CHAPIA, Idea boni parochi et perfecti religiosi; VUILLIMIN, La Vie de St. Pierre Fourier (Paris, 1897).
Allaria, Anthony. "St. Peter Fourier." The Catholic Encyclopedia. Vol. 11. New York: Robert Appleton Company, 1911. 9 Dec. 2018 <http://www.newadvent.org/cathen/11767b.htm>.
Transcription. This article was transcribed for New Advent by Douglas J. Potter. Dedicated to the Immaculate Heart of the Blessed Virgin Mary.
Ecclesiastical approbation. Nihil Obstat. February 1, 1911. Remy Lafort, S.T.D., Censor. Imprimatur. +John Cardinal Farley, Archbishop of New York.
Copyright © 2020 by Kevin Knight. Dedicated to the Immaculate Heart of Mary.



Paroisse Saint Pierre Fourier
11 Rue St Laurent, Pont-à-Mousson, Lorraine, France

Saint Peter Fourier


Also known as
  • Good Father of Mattaincourt
  • Le Bon Père de Mattaincourt
Profile

Educated at the University of Pont-a-Mousson, entering at age 15. Tutor to the sons of many noble families. AugustinianCanon Regular at the abbey in Chaumousey, FranceOrdainedin 1589. He returned to university, became a master of patristic theology, and could recite the Summa Theologica of Saint Thomas Aquinas by heart. Reforming priest at Mattaincourt, Vosges, France, an area noted for corruption and lax attitudes to heresy; he revitalized the spiritual life of the district, and established charities and banks for the poor. Spiritual teacher of Blessed Alix le Clerc. In 1598 he founded the Daughters of Our Lady for the education of girls. Founded the Sodality of the Immaculate Conception, or Children of Mary. His attempt to found a parallel order to teach boys failed. In 1621 he was ordered to reform his order in Lorraine. In 1625 he was sent to Salm to preach missions and work against Calvinism; within six months all the fallen away Catholics had returned to the Church. Helped found the Congregation of Our Saviour in 1629 and served as its superior general in 1632. When the French government ordered him to swear allegiance to King Louis XIII he refused, and spent the rest of his life in exile in the town of Gray, Haute-Saone, France.

Born


La chapelle Saint-Pierre Fourier du Val-d'Ajol

St. Peter Fourier

Known as LE BON PÈRE DE MATTAINCOURT, born at Mirecourt, Lorraine, 30 Nov., 1565 died at Gray, Haute-Saône, 9 Dec., 1640. At fifteen he was sent to the University of Pont-à-Mousson. His piety and learning led many noble families to ask him to educate their sons. He became a Canon Regular in the Abbey of Chaumousey and was ordained in 1589. By order of his abbot he returned to the university and became proficient in patristic theology; he knew the "Summa" of St. Thomas by heart. In 1597 he was made parish priest of Mattaincourt, a corrupt district threatened with the new heresy. By his prayers, instructions, and good example, religion was soon restored. Fourier did not neglect the temporal interests of his parishioners; to help those who through ill-fortune had fallen into poverty, he established a kind of mutual help bank. He instituted three sodalities, of St. Sebastian for men, of the Holy Rosary for women and of the Immaculate Conception for girls, or "Children of Mary". He composed some dialogues which treated of the virtues opposed to the vices most common among his people. These dialogues the children delivered every Sunday in public. To perpetuate his work, Peter founded in 1598 an order of women, the Congregation of Notre-Dame, who teach poor girls gratuitously. The institute spread and with some modifications was introduced into America by the Ven. Marguerite Bourgeoys (died 1700).

In 1621, by order of the Bishop of Toul, Fourier undertook the reform of the canons regular in Lorraine who in 1629 formed the Congregation of Our Saviour. Of this congregation he was made superior general in 1632. He wished his brother canons to do for boys what his nuns were doing for girls. In 1625 Peter was entrusted with the conversion of the Principality of Salm, near Nancy, which had gone over to Calvinism. In six months all the Protestants, whom he called "poor strangers", had returned to the Faith, On account of his attachment to the House of Lorraine he was driven into exile at Gray, where he died. In 1730 Benedict XIII published the Decree of his Beatification, and Leo XIII canonized him in 1897.

Sources

BEDEL, La vie du Très Révérend Père Pierre Fourier, dit vulgairement, Le Père de Mettaincourt (1645); CHAPIA, Idea boni parochi et perfecti religiosi; VUILLIMIN, La Vie de St. Pierre Fourier (Paris, 1897).

SOURCE : http://www.newadvent.org/cathen/11767b.htm


 Basilique Saint-Pierre-Fourier de Mattaincourt

Catholic Heroes . . . St. Peter Fourier

November 29, 2016

By CAROLE BRESLIN
In the Catholic Church, there are many examples throughout history of religious orders that have been reformed or have been in need of reform. After many years the members of religious orders tend to relax rules until they do not live much differently than the laity. It seems that discipline and fervor are closely related — without one you will not have the other.

St. Peter Fourier recognized this truth both in his personal life and the life of both the parishioners he guided and the order that he later reformed in the late 1500s.

Peter Fourier was the eldest of three sons, born on November 30, 1565 in Mirecourt, France. This village was located in the Duchy of Lorraine, a stronghold of the Catholic Counterreformation. His father was a cloth merchant and his mother a homemaker — both were faithful and fervent Catholics.
Peter received an education in his younger years, perhaps at home, and at the age of 15 his father sent him to the new University of Pont-a-Mousson, a Jesuit institution. Later, it became the University of Lorraine.

In 1585, at the age of 20, Peter entered the novitiate of the canons regular of the Abbey of Chaumousey. Two years later, in 1587 he professed his vows. In Treves, Peter was ordained at the unusually young age of 23 on February 24, 1589.

After Peter’s Ordination, his abbot sent him back to the University of Pont-a-Mousson where he completed his studies as a scholastic theologian. So great were his abilities that he memorized the entire Summa Theologiae of St. Thomas Aquinas — a 26-volume work on the teachings of the Catholic Church. This feat led the university administrators and the count-bishop of Metz to offer him a high position in the Church there; but Peter refused, preferring to return to his abbey.

Without delay, Fourier suffered ridicule and persecution from his fellow canons. Some claim that there were also attempts to poison the saint because the canons’ animosity for the learned man was so great. This hostile treatment lasted for two long years during which time Fr. Fourier never complained to his abbot, bearing the wrongs patiently.

During this era, many abbeys and priories supplied priests to the parishes in the region to administer the sacraments. Peter Fourier chose to go to a parish in Mattaincourt, even though he had been offered other more prestigious positions. Fr. Fourier preferred to work with the people to increase their love of the faith, and to preach against the influence of Calvinism. He spent the next two decades working as the vicar to save souls.

To enliven the faith life of his people, Fr. Fourier instituted two major reforms in the parish which clearly demonstrate his uncommon wisdom and deep compassion for the people.

First of all, with the objective of improving lives in an economic way, he began a bank for the community. This enabled people to borrow money without interest so that they could invest it in ways to provide an income to support their families.

Secondly, rather than preach from a superior and heightened position, he came down to their level and engaged them in conversation. Thus he not only discovered how well — or how little — they knew the basic teachings of Catholicism. In this manner he could teach by asking questions similar to the way Jesus did in the Temple during the three days Mary and Joseph searched for Him.

This method proved successful since his flock did not feel humiliated. Furthermore, the parishioners did not just listen and then forget what they heard, but they would take time to reason out the answer and reach the proper conclusion with his guidance, thus becoming more deeply integrated into the learning process.

Fr. Fourier also used dialogues and discussions to engage people in considering the virtues and the vices that they witnessed in their daily lives. Thus they became more conscious of the short-term and the long-lasting consequences of their actions — those very things for which we will be judged in eternal life.

As a pastor, Fr. Fourier also led by example. He lived simply, practicing extra self-denial in many ways. He never employed a cook or a cleaning woman. Even when his stepmother offered to do housekeeping, he refused her offer. The money he saved, he gave to the poor of the parish. As any pastor serving God would do, Fr. Fourier also spent many nights ministering to the sick in his area and helping the poor.

The parish then became increasingly vibrant and he revitalized the faith of the people so much that the bishop invited Fr. Fourier to preach at other parishes. His new responsibility surprised him as he became more exposed to the deplorable conditions of the people. He wondered how they could know so little of the faith and be so steeped in superstitions.

In 1597, to help combat the problems he witnessed, he worked with Blessed Alix Le Clerc and founded the Congregation of Notre Dame of Canonesses Regular of St. Augustine. These women were dedicated to educating children for free — their fourth vow, after poverty, chastity, and obedience.

In this endeavor, Father was not just an administrator but also took a great interest in the welfare of the children. He also taught them in the classrooms and is credited with being the first person to make use of a chalkboard. In addition, he is also known to have begun the organization of classrooms based on knowledge rather than on age.

Once again his efforts, by the grace of God, met with great success. Soon these schools spread throughout France and then to England and Germany.

His great love of Christ spurred him on to do even more for the glory of God. Fr. Fourier next directed his efforts to reform his order to increase the members’ fervor and discipline. Again his success became so well-known that Bishop Jean des Porcelets of Toul appointed the priest to reform the communities in the diocese, including the Abbey of St. Remy.

Father joyfully assumed this new responsibility, returning to the quiet of the abbey that he loved so much. Within four years eight houses had been reformed under his guidance.

The reform continued and soon the abbeys were organized into new congregations in 1625. Anyone wishing to join these new congregations, even though they may have already taken vows, had to begin in the novitiate. On February 11, 1628 the abbeys were formally recognized as the Congregation of Our Savior.

The same year that Fr. Fourier was elected abbot general, 1632, Cardinal Richelieu, a favorite of King Louis XIII, forced the congregation to flee to the town of Gray in Burgundy where the priests ministered to the victims of the plague. Fr. Fourier died in Gray on December 9, 1640. His feast is celebrated on December 9.

Dear St. Peter Fourier, how you loved the Lord and longed to show others the way to a deeper love of His Most Sacred Heart. Help us to learn our faith well and to pass it on to others for the greater glory of God. Amen.

(Carole Breslin home-schooled her four daughters and served as treasurer of the Michigan Catholic Home Educators for eight years. For over ten years, she was national coordinator for the Marian Catechists, founded by Fr. John A. Hardon, SJ.)



09 DEC SAINT PETER FOURIER, CONFESSOR

Posted at 17:05h in Saints by Eddie Masters

December 9

Today is the feast day of Saint Peter Fourier.  Ora pro nobis.

Peter Fourier was known as LE BON PÉRE DE MATTAINCOURT, born at Mirecourt, Lorraine, 30 Nov 1565. At fifteen he was sent to the University of Pont-à-Mousson. His piety and learning led many noble families to ask him to educate their sons. He became a Canon Regular in the Abbey of Chaumousey and was ordained in 1589. By order of his abbot he returned to the university and became proficient in patristic theology; he knew the “Summa” of St. Thomas by heart. In 1597 he was made parish priest of Mattaincourt, a corrupt district threatened with the new heresy.

Before saying his first Mass he passed several months of retreat in the exercises of prayer, penance and tears. He was then sent to complete his theological studies at the university of Pont-au-Mousson, also in Lorraine. There Father Jean Fourier, a relative who was Rector of that University, directed him admirably. His progress in virtue and the sacred sciences placed him high in the opinion of the Cardinal of Lorraine and Bishop of Metz, who desired to have him in his diocese; he offered him a parish where his talents would bring him advancement. But the young priest, wishing to flee all honors, declined, to return to his Abbey.

There hell instigated against him a persecution; he was the brunt of raillery, threats, and intrigues, and an effort was made to poison him, which did not succeed. For two years he lived in the midst of contradictions without complaining in any way to his abbot, who seemed unaware of what was happening; he increased in patience and kindness towards his persecutors. Eventually he was again offered a choice of three parishes, two of which would provide opportunity for advancement, while the third was in a village regarded as incorrigible and backward. It was the last one that he chose. The people there were prosperous but more than indifferent to religion. The Sacraments were neglected and the feast days profaned; the altars were bare and the church was deserted when he arrived.

His own parish was gradually being transformed into a model, and priests came to visit it. One of them reported to his bishop the marvels of devotion he had seen in Mattaincourt, and said he had asked the parish priest where he had studied; Saint Peter had answered that he had studied in the fourth — corresponding in America to about the ninth grade. Astonished, the visitor was yet more so when he learned that this modest priest had certainly studied in the fourth, as he had said, but out of horror for vainglory had wanted to dissimulate his years of higher studies.

The bishops were asking him to visit their parishes to preach missions where needed; the holy priest obeyed, amid his increasing tears and penance, as he perceived the vices and ignorance of the populations. He also was concerned to reestablish the discipline and fervor of his own Order, an effort which had failed several times. But in 1621 the Bishop of Toul, Monsignor de Porcelets, entrusted this work to Father Fourier. A house was found to begin the Reform, the vacant ancient Abbey of Saint Remi, and six excellent subjects were sent there under his direction. In four years, eight houses of the Order had adopted the Reform.

A General Superior was named; for a time Father Fourier was able to avoid that office, but when the good Superior died, he was obliged to accept its functions. Attacked by the devil, his influence distorted by calumnies, Saint Peter’s only response was to spread everywhere devotion to the Immaculate Conception of the Blessed Virgin. More than two centuries before the Miraculous Medal in 1830 and the proclamation of the dogma in 1854, he saw to the distribution of large quantities of a medal he had struck, on which were engraved the words: Mary was conceived without sin.

Saint Peter Fourier died in exile as an effect of the difficulties and political problems of the 1630’s; he found shelter in a province which was at that time under the Spanish crown, and there he died in 1640. His spiritual sons, his spiritual daughters, the good people of Gray in Bourgogne, who had welcomed him and whom he had served admirably during an epidemic of the pestilence, all wanted the honor of possessing his mortal remains. But so did also the parish of Mattaincourt. To the reformed Order of Saint Augustine this privilege was granted officially, but the pious women of Mattaincourt, blocking the church door, would not permit the Canons to resume their journey with the coffin, after they had stopped in his former parish for a day or so. His heart had already been left to the parish of Gray. Miracles have abounded at his tomb, as they did during his lifetime, by his prayers. He was canonized by Pope Leo XIII in 1897.

Image: Statues in Saint Peter’s Basilica. St. Peter Fourier. Founder Statue by Louis Noel Nicoli, 1899. (5)

Research by Ed Masters, REGINA Staff

http://sanctoral.com/en/saints/saint_peter_fourier.html

http://traditionalcatholic.net/Tradition/Calendar/12-09.html

http://gardenofmary.com/december-9th-st-peter-fourier/

http://www.nobility.org/2016/12/08/st-peter-fourier-4/

https://commons.wikimedia.org/wiki/File:2016_-_Statues_in_Saint_Peter%27s_Basilica_14.jpg

SOURCE : https://www.reginamag.com/saint-peter-fourier-priest/


Joseph Ignatz SADLER. Saint Peter Fourier. Fresco No. 28Most Holy Trinity ChurchFulnekCzechiaEurope. Photograph : David Hrabálek


Weninger’s Lives of the Saints – Blessed Peter Fourrier


Article

In the year 1730, Pope Benedict XIII beatified with the usual solemnities, Peter Fourrier, an eminent servant of our Lord, and the glorious founder of the Congregation or society of our dear Lady. He was born in 1565 at Mireccur, a small village in France. His parents were indigent but very pious people, and Peter’s heart seemed from childhood to be filled with love for the Almighty. At Pont-a-Mousson he devoted himself to study, and progressed equally in virtue and knowledge. The name of a learned man, and what is still more, of a Saint, was already then given him. When twenty years old, he went into the Abbey of the regular canons of Saint Augustine, desiring to serve God more perfectly. At the end of his probation, he continued his studies at the above mentioned place and was ordained priest at his return.

The unusual zeal which this servant of God manifested in all exercises of virtue caused the less fervent priests to become tired of him, and endeavor to remove him. Hence three parishes were found, of which Peter was to select one where he might expend all his fervor in laboring for the salvation of souls. Not knowing which one to choose, he asked the advice of a Jesuit, John Fourrier, one of his relatives, who replied: “The first two arc profitable and quiet: the third yields very little, but needs a great deal of labor.” Peter reflected no longer, but seeking only the honor of God and the welfare of men, he chose, without hesitation, the poor and toilsome parish of Mataincour. The morals of the inhabitants were so depraved, that is was called “little Geneva”; but the zealous priest commenced his work of conversion so bravely, that after three years, by his kind words and constant exhortation, but still more by his bright example of virtue, Mataincour might serve as a model to all the other parishes. Not content with the good he did in his own parish, the unwearied servant of the Lord went to other places, fought against vices, refuted heresies, destroyed errors and planted the seed of the Christian virtues. In the County of Salm, where heresy had a free field, he not only converted all the heretics to the truth of the Catholic religion in six months, but led them also upon the path of virtue. It cost him, however, far greater labor to reform the abuses which had crept into several houses of his order: but in this he also succeeded, with the divine assistance. That which, however, confers the most lasting honor upon him is the founding of the Society of our Dear Lady. By his advice, dictated by the zeal he had for the salvation of souls, several pious ladies consecrated their virginity to God, and obliged themselves at the same time to instruct children in reading, writing, sewing and other useful knowledge. The association of these virgins which Peter founded under the protection of the Blessed Virgin, was sanctioned by the Pope, and rapidly increased, to the great benefit of youth. After the holy founder had given regulations to this society, he became Superior of the Canons he had reformed and directed them wisely by precept and example. At length, during the war in the year 1636, he, with several of the Canons, was driven away from Lorraine, and coming into Burgundy, he remained for some time, in a small village named Gray, where he instructed the young.

The Almighty, desiring to bestow upon his servant the recompense he had so well merited, sent him a violent attack of fever. Receiving it as a fore-runner of death, the Saint prepared himself for his last hour by devoutly receiving the holy Sacraments. The time still left to him upon earth, he employed in fervent prayers, sometimes kissing the Crucifix amid pious ejaculations; at others, casting his eyes upon an image of the Blessed Virgin, and saying: “Mary, prove thyself a mother, and because I have always regarded thee as such, recognize thou me also for thy unworthy son.” He desired that they should frequently say to him aloud: “We have a gracious Lord: we have a gracious Lady.” At other times, he had pious books read to him, because he would not pass a moment without deriving some benefit. His joy upon earth was that he was still able to celebrate devoutly the Festival of the Immaculate Conception. The following day, December the ninth, he signed himself three times with the holy Cross, and gave his soul, so richly adorned with virtues, into the charge of the Blessed Virgin, in whom he had so perfectly confided from his most tender years. Many gave a sworn testimony, that at the moment of his death, they saw a bright light rising from his dwelling towards heaven. His whole life, so to say, had been a flame of devotion fervently rising to the throne of God. His love of God and of his neighbors, was among his most remarkable virtues. The former was so great, that at the time of prayer he was seen surrounded by a heavenly light, his face beaming and his whole being as if raised in ecstasy above the earth. He spoke of nothing but God and things conducive to His honor. Frequently he was heard saying with solemn pathos: “My God! I am thine and thou art mine; thou art God, and my God!” He gave to prayer all the time which was left him after the discharge of his functions, and was in communion with his Saviour during the greater part of the night. He undertook nothing, without having first, by prayer, asked the advice and assistance of the Almighty. All his actions had but one aim, to further the honor of God. The principal rule by which he was guided, and which he also recommended to others, was, to consider in all affairs whether they were pleasing to God. Nothing saddened him more deeply than when he heard that God had been offended, and he tried to prevent sin, whenever it was in his power. He himself detest- ed every shadow of what might displease God: a true sign of his love for Him. Of his love for his neighbor a great number of examples are related in his life. His parishioners and others in his charge, he loved as if they had been his own children, and evinced a constant solicitude for their temporal and spiritual welfare. On account of the apostolic zeal which he displayed in abolishing abuses, and uprooting vice which had become habits, he was slandered and persecuted by many, but he was to all of them as kind and obliging as he was to his best friends. One ruffian, whom Peter endeavored to turn from the evil path he was pursuing, attacked him one day, and beat him until some persons hastened to save the servant of God from his hands. They wished to give the man over to the authorities and have him punished, but Peter concealed him in his house until peace was restored, and the wicked man, at his intercession was pardoned. The poor and needy he assisted as much as his means permitted, carrying the alms into their dwelling himself, and endeavoring to incite his parishioners to equal works of Christian charity. The sick he waited on with the most tender care; and when he was chosen Superior, he reserved to himself the office of nursing them, passing whole nights in serving them with untiring love. Once, when he was travelling accompanied by a servant, .the latter became dangerously sick. Peter acted as nurse, laid him in the bed which had been prepared for himself, fed him, lifted him in and out of bed, in fact, did everything for him that circumstances required, until the man was restored. In such a manner he manifested his love for his neighbors in corporal necessities and afflictions. Still deeper was his solicitude for their spiritual welfare: his only desire was to lead all those in his charge to heaven. All his admonitions had this one great end: to cause them to avoid sin and practise virtue. Many prayers, many penances and masses he offered to God, for the conversion of heretics and hardened sinners. He endeavored to move them to repentance by gentleness and kindness. It is known that with tears in his eyes and on bended knees, he begged some to repent and do penance. When he perceived that any one was tempted to turn away again from the narrow path of repentance and piety, he used most ingenious means to prevent it and to strengthen him in his good resolution. A nun desired to leave the convent and return to the world. Peter did all in his power to deter her; and when all his exhortations proved vain, he said: Wander then away; but before leaving, bid farewell to the Blessed Virgin in the words of a prayer, which I have written for you upon this paper. The prayer was as follows: I have come to thank thee, O Lady, that thou didst deign to receive me among thy daughters. This grace, however, I will no longer enjoy, as the world is dearer to me than thou and thy Son. Taking farewell of you both, I return into the world, leaving it to others to serve you, as I no longer desire thus to fulfill this sacred office. The nun, not knowing what was written upon the paper, took it joyfully. But when, before an image of the Blessed Virgin, she read what it contained, she was moved to tears, and repenting of her fault, resolved to remain in the convent until her death; a promise which she faithfully kept. In this manner did Peter prove his love towards his neighbor in spiritual affliction. He often made use of the words of Saint Ambrose: “To be useful to all and hurtful to none.” His whole conduct was regulated in accordance with this principle; as he endeavored to further the spiritual and temporal welfare of all, and not to do the least harm to any one.

This glorious servant of the Most High is represented, bearing in his hand a lily and a Cross, as emblems of his two most eminent virtues. The lily indicates his unspotted innocence and purity; the cross, his unceasing mortification and penance. His life was truly distinguished by purity and self-immolation. The innocence which he received in holy baptism, he never lost through a mortal sin. In avoiding those sins which we call venial he manifested more anxiety than many do to avoid those that are mortal. Because he loved the Lord, he detested and shunned the least thing that could displease Him. Angelical purity he preserved during his whole life, although often in great danger of losing it. As founder and director of a Congregation of religious virgins, he came constantly in contact with them but used great precaution. His face bore always an earnest, dignified expression and he so well controlled his eyes, that they never wandered in curiosity upon those with whom he conversed. He was never seen laughing or jesting with any one, and his conversations were never, longer than was absolutely necessary. He was a bitter enemy of all speeches or songs that were in the least obscene, and used all his influence to destroy all inclination to them in his parishioners. From his early youth, he was devout to the Virgin Mother, in order that by her intercession, he might preserve his purity intact. For this purpose he constantly macerated his body and used the utmost rigor with regard to it. His sustenance was roots and vegetables, and he partook of only one meal during the day. Sometimes, however, no food passed his lips during three days. He never took wine, until, when advanced in years, it was prescribed for him. Water was his usual drink, which he did not take to refresh himself, but only as it was absolutely needed. When, during a sultry summer-day, he was preaching to the nuns, one of them, remarking that his lips were so parched that he could hardly speak, brought him some fresh water. Taking the cup in his hand, he said: “Truly this drink would be refreshing to me, but it is better that, following the example of King David, I abstain from it out of love to God.” Thereupon, he poured the water out, consecrating it to the Almighty as David had done. He wore no linen, but instead of it, a rough hair-shirt, of which he never divested himself except when it was torn, or when, during sickness, he was obliged to lay it aside. He scourged himself so mercilessly, that his back became one deep wound. On one of his feet he had a sore which he had concealed until he could no longer walk. It took the surgeon five hours to cut the mortified flesh out of it, and during all this time, not one word of complaint passed the lips of the Saint. For forty years his bed was a board, his pillow some books, and his only covering a cloak. In the coldest days of the winter, his room was heated only when some one came to visit him, or when he was ill. Thus did this servant of God endeavor to mortify his body in every possible manner, and to lead a penitential life. And yet it seemed to him that all this was not sufficient to gain life everlasting. One day when a certain nobleman said that he would willingly be a poor beggar to be as sure of salvation as Peter, the latter was horrified, and said: “Oh! Sir, God judges differently from men. If Saint Paul feared to be cast away by God, how then should I not fear!” and weeping bitterly after these words, he went away. God himself proved, to the whole Christian world, the holiness of his servant, by many miracles.

Practical Considerations

1. You see in the hands of blessed Peter Founder, a snow-white lily and a cross. You have heard the reason why he is thus represented. Happy those who are one day able to appear before God with such emblems of their innocence and penance. One of these two must a man be in possession of, if he desires to enter heaven; for, these two roads are the only ones leading to it, namely, that of innocence and that of penance. Do you hope to walk on both of these, or at least upon one of them? Will you bear the lily? Ah! it docs not belong to you, if you have lost your innocence. Or will you bear the Cross? But in what consists your penance? You seldom repent of your sins; you do not even think of them at all. You will hear nothing of self-abnegation. You refuse not to your body anything it desires. You only study how you can give it all that is agreeable. How dare you, therefore, on account of your penance, hope to gain heaven? How can you show a cross to the Almighty as an emblem of your penance? Commence from today to strive for the true spirit of penance, if you earnestly desire to save your soul.

2. The blessed Peter endeavored to follow the example of Saint Ambrose, and be useful to all men and hurtful to none, as well temporally as spiritually. Happy are those who imitate this example. You can be useful to man, as far as the body is concerned, by different works of charity. You can be useful to him, concerning his soul, by exhorting him to do good, by restraining him from evil, by good example, prayer, and works of spiritual charity. On the contrary, you can harm your neighbor, as far as temporal or bodily welfare is concerned, by deceit, falsehood, injustice, false witness, theft, strife, contention, etc. Concerning his soul, you wrong him, by inciting him to sin, or by advising or assisting him to do evil; by giving scandal, either in word or deed, by preventing him from doing good, etc. If you desire to work out your salvation, make use of every opportunity to benefit your neighbor, and take heed that you never in the least harm him. The love which you owe to your neighbor requires this; Christ commands you to love him as you love yourself. Would you like any one to wrong you? Most certainly not, but quite the contrary. Just so, Christ commands that we shall love our neighbors as He has loved us. Has Christ loved any one in soul or body? Most assuredly; He sought to be useful to all in soul and body. Look on this example and follow it: “This is my commandment, that you love one another as I have loved you.” (John 15)

MLA Citation

  • Father Francis Xavier Weninger, DD, SJ. “Blessed Peter Fourrier”. Lives of the Saints1876CatholicSaints.Info. 14 March 2018. Web. 8 December 2020. <https://catholicsaints.info/weningers-lives-of-the-saints-blessed-peter-fourrier/>

SOURCE : https://catholicsaints.info/weningers-lives-of-the-saints-blessed-peter-fourrier/

Statue de Saint Pierre Fourier, bois polychrome du XVIIIe siècle, 
Églse abbatiale de Moyenmoutier (Vosges)

San Pietro Fourier Sacerdote


Mirecourt, Francia, 30 novembre 1565 - Gray, Francia, 8 dicembre 1640

Nasce da una famiglia di commercianti il 30 novembre 1565 a Mirecourt in Lorena, una regione indipendente e, in piena Riforma protestante, ancora fedele a Roma. Si presenta all’istituto superiore della Compagnia di Gesù fondato a Pont-à-Mousson, vicino alla capitale Nancy, nel 1579. Quattro anni dopo, ritorna a Pont-à-Mousson per farsi prete; verrà ordinato a Treviri (Germania) nel 1589. Dal 1597 è parroco a Mattaincourt, centro dedito al tessile e soffocato dall’usura. Proprio contro questa piaga si scaglia il nuovo parroco, che cera un fondo per i prestiti agli artigiani. Combatterà anche contro l’ignoranza aprendo delle scuole gratuite per bambini e bambine. Alle bambine si dedica una ragazza di Remiremont, Alessia Leclerq (ora beata Madre Teresa di Gesù). A lei si uniscono poi altre giovani, che daranno vita all’istituto religioso delle «Canonichesse di sant’Agostino». E così sarà per i maestri volontari: diventeranno i «Canonici regolari del Salvatore». Durante la Guerra dei 30 anni Fourier riceve minacce di morte e deve fuggire a Gray. Morirà qui nel 1640. (Avvenire)

Martirologio Romano: A Gray in Burgundia, ora in Francia, dove si era rifugiato come esule, transito di san Pietro Fourier, sacerdote, che scelse la poverissima parrocchia di Mattaincourt in Lorena e la curò mirabilmente, istituì i Canonici regolari del Nostro Salvatore e fondò l’Istituto delle Canonichesse regolari di Nostra Signora per impartire un’istruzione gratuita alle fanciulle. 

I suoi genitori commerciano in tessuti, che all’epoca sono una delle grandi risorse dei lorenesi, come le miniere di ferro e l’agricoltura. Il ducato di Lorena è uno Stato indipendente (sarà unito alla Francia solo nel 1766); nella grande crisi religiosa aperta dalla Riforma di Martin Lutero è rimasta unita alla Chiesa di Roma, diventando anzi un luogo di nuova irradiazione cattolica, con centri di preparazione e di studio destinati a formare sacerdoti meglio preparati. 

Nell’istituto superiore della Compagnia di Gesù fondato a Pont-à-Mousson, vicino alla capitale Nancy, si presenta nel 1579 il quattordicenne Pietro Fourier, mandato dai genitori per gli studi classici, fino al 1585. Quattro anni dopo, ritorna a Pont-à-Mousson per farsi prete. Ne esce sei anni dopo, ben ferrato in teologia e in diritto, dopo aver ricevuto l’ordinazione a Treviri (Germania) nel 1589.

La scuola lo ha preparato a lavorare per la riforma cattolica, come l’ha delineata il Concilio di Trento. Può aspirare a mansioni importanti nella Chiesa. Ma per lui l’importanza non sta più nei buoni posti, nelle cariche e nei titoli. Numero uno nella Chiesa, ai suoi occhi, è chiunque comunichi la fede. Numero uno è il parroco, dunque. Ed eccolo parroco, infatti, a partire dal 1597.

La parrocchia è quella di Mattaincourt (vicino a Mirecourt, suo luogo nativo), paese di uomini e di donne specializzati nelle cento maniere del filare, del tessere, del ricamare, maestri di panno e di merletto. Artigiani eccellenti, ma vittime dell’usura. Gli strozzini li inchiodano all’eterna povertà, e sinora nessuno li ha difesi. Ora li difende lui, il parroco Pietro, costituendo un banco di credito che presta denaro agli artigiani senza interessi. Alla lettera, padre Fourier ha creato un fondo per questi crediti, e riesce ad alimentarlo con lasciti ereditari, offerte occasionali, insistendo, alzando la voce in chiesa e fuori.

L’altro nemico pubblico è l’ignoranza. Secondo lui, un parroco degno della sua missione dev’essere il primo a combatterla. E difatti la parrocchia di Mattaincourt vede nascere le scuole gratuite per bambini e bambine, che funzionano con l’aiuto di volontari. Alle bambine si dedica una ragazza di Remiremont, Alessia Leclerq (ora beata Madre Teresa di Gesù), consigliata da padre Fourier, che è il suo direttore spirituale. A lei si uniscono poi altre giovani, che daranno vita all’istituto religioso delle “Canonichesse di sant’Agostino”, sviluppando via via la loro attività e ottenendo i riconoscimenti ecclesiastici. E così sarà per i maestri volontari: diventeranno i “Canonici regolari del Salvatore”. Due comunità presenti e attive anche nel terzo millennio.

Dal 1630 al 1648 si combatte in Europa la guerra dei Trent’anni, con atrocità inaudite, eccidi, saccheggi, torture. Ci sono anche casi di cannibalismo per fame. C’è un cardinale di Santa Romana Chiesa (Richelieu) che sostiene e incoraggia eserciti protestanti contro eserciti cattolici. Anche la Lorena viene invasa da truppe francesi, e il parroco Fourier, che dice la loro ai sovrani e ai porporati, riceve minacce di morte. Deve andarsene, e trova rifugio a Gray, nella Franca Contea che all’epoca è sotto dominio spagnolo. E qui muore, ben prima di veder finire la guerra. Leone XIII lo proclamerà santo nel 1897.

Autore: 
Domenico Agasso



Неизвестный автор. Портрет Пьера Фурье (XVIII век)