Bienheureux Benoît XI
Pape
(194 ème) de 1303 à 1304 (✝ 1304)
Il était le
Maître général de l'Ordre des Frères Prêcheurs quand il fut créé
cardinal-évêque d'Ostie. Élu pape
en 1303, il fut remarquable par sa bienveillance et sa douceur, redresseur des
querelles et ami de la paix. Il promut, pendant un bref pontificat, la paix de
l’Église, la restauration de la discipline et le développement de la religion.
Béatifié par Clément XII en 1736.
À Pérouse en Ombrie, l’an 1304, le trépas du bienheureux Benoît XI, pape, de l’Ordre des Prêcheurs. Plein de bienveillance et de douceur, redresseur des querelles et ami de la paix, il promut, pendant un bref pontificat, la paix de l’Église, la restauration de la discipline et le développement de la religion.
Martyrologe
romain
SOURCE : http://nominis.cef.fr/contenus/saint/1459/Bienheureux-Benoit-XI.html
Benoît XI
Nicolas Boccasini, Pape, Bienheureux
1240-1304
Fils d’un berger “sans grande fortune”, Nicolas
Boccasini naquit en 1240, au bourg de Saint-Barthélemy, aux environs de
Trévise. Un de ses oncles, prêtre, se chargea de l'instruire.
« Dès sa première jeunesse, Nicolas Boccasino
fit preuve d'une haute intelligence et, ce qui vaut mieux, d’un grand cœur. Dieu permit
que cette âme virile passât de bonne heure par l'épreuve de la pauvreté. A
l'âge de douze ans environ, il fut mis en état de se suffire à lui-même. Ce
jeune homme, cet enfant alla à Venise, et, plein d'un courage et d'une science
précoces, se fit le précepteur de jeunes patriciens. Rude métier où les
humiliations ne manquent pas ; métier voisin de la domesticité et dont
plusieurs siècles n'ont pas corrigé la rudesse »[1].
Le même auteur nous dit encore que le jeune Nicolas
« avait une piété ardente et un zèle singulier pour le salut des
âmes ; il aimait, sur toutes choses, à entendre la parole de Dieu et avait
quelque désir d'en être un jour le ministre. Sa vocation était toute
marquée ».
En effet, à l’âge de quatorze ans il entra chez les
dominicains où il fit sa profession, probablement en 1257.
« Nicolas de Trévise – c’est ainsi qu’on
l’appelait désormais, explique Léon Gauthier ― avait attiré sur
lui tous les yeux de ses frères. On parlait de lui dans tous les couvents de
l'Ordre, comme d'un génie et comme d'un saint. Malgré sa modestie, l'admiration
de ses frères le contraignit à recevoir, tour à tour, tous les honneurs, et à
remplir toutes les fonctions de la famille dominicaine. Il fut d'abord
sous-prieur, puis prieur conventuel, puis enfin provincial de Lombardie. Et,
dans toutes ces dignités, la grâce divine lui communiqua le secret de demeurer
humble, doux et discret ».
Mais, malgré cette discrétion et cette humilité
exemplaire, il était devenu “l’homme de Dieu” que tous aimaient et voulaient
honorer, voila pourquoi, « en 1296, le chapitre général de l'Ordre des
Prêcheurs [qui se tenait] à Strasbourg, voulut, d'après la règle, donner un
successeur au Maître, ou, comme nous dirions aujourd'hui, au général de
l'Ordre, qui était alors Etienne de Besançon. Le provincial de Lombardie ― Nicolas
de Trévise – fut élu par acclamation ».
Alors qu’il était encore Maître général de l’Ordre
des Prêcheurs, il fut créé cardinal prêtre de la Sainte Église romaine, par une
lettre de Boniface VIII en date du 5 décembre 1298, à lui remise par deux
émissaires envoyés par le Pape lui-même. Il était nommé au diocèse d’Ostie.
« Le Pape ― poursuit Léon Gauthier ― avait
un de ces regards qui percent les âmes, qui les analysent rapidement et qui en
découvrent sans peine les qua• lités spécialement puissantes. 11 reconnut que
la prudence était chez Boccasino la vertu, non pas la plus belle, mais la plus
utile au gouvernement de l'Église, et il utilisa cette vertu. Il fit du nouveau
cardinal ce que nous appelons aujourd'hui un diplomate ».
La diplomatie n’est pas une “science exacte” et
souffre bien souvent de “détournements” qui ne sont pas toujours ni “honnêtes”
ni appréciés de tous, voilà pourquoi la diplomatie de l’Église se veut honnête,
sans mensonge et destinée à tous sans exception, ce qui ne veut pas dire pour
autant qu’elle puisse être acceptée et appréciée par tous, mais, en tout état
de cause elle doit être servie avec “prudence et au service de la Vérité”.
Nicolas, malgré son humilité et son désire de rester “dans la solitude et dans
le silence”, accepta par obéissance la charge qui lui était confiée, ne
souhaitant plus désormais autre chose que de servir dignement le Souverain
Pontife qui lui faisait confiance et l’Église universelle.
Pour mener à bien sa mission, le cardinal
Dominicain dut s’absenter souvent de son diocèse et aller dans d’autres pays,
dont certains étaient en guerre. C’est au retour de l’un de ses voyages
épuisants et dangereux que Nicolas Boccasino put mesurer l’étendue des dégâts
dont était victime l’Église, car “il ne retrouva point Boniface à Rome” car un
“réseau de trahisons commençait à s'ourdir autour du Pontife”, dans le but de
le faire périr ; réseau qui semble avoir pour organisateur secret le roi
Philippe le Bel. C’était au début de l’année 1303.
« Il resta des amis à Boniface au plus fort de
son infortune. Deux cardinaux, deux seulement, restèrent inébranlables au pied
du trône pontifical. Ni la violence d'un Sciarra, ni la fourberie d'un Nogaret,
ni les outrages d'une soldatesque en délire, n'écartèrent de leur maître
outragé ces serviteurs fidèles. L'histoire a conservé les noms de ces deux
derniers amis du grand Pontife : c'étaient Pierre d'Espagne et Nicolas
Boccasino, évêque d'Ostie »[2].
Boniface VII ne s’est pas remis de cette
mésaventure cruelle et le 11 octobre 1303 rejoignît la Maison du Père, laissant
le siège romain vacant. Dès lors il fallait élire un nouveau pape. Le conclave
fut donc ouvert à Pérouse et les cardinaux se souvinrent de celui qui avait été
fidèle et qui avait été l’artisan des rapprochements récents entre l’Église et
certains états de l’Europe, désignèrent, le 22 octobre 1303, Nicolas Boccasini
pour succéder à Boniface VIII. Le 27 du même mois il fut intronisé et prit le
nom de Benoît XI.
La période était chaotique et, « le premier
regard que jeta sur son nouvel empire le successeur de Boniface, ce premier
regard fut triste. En réalité, le nouveau Pape n'avait d'appui qu'au ciel, et
c'est au ciel seulement qu'il pouvait trouver un sujet de joie. Sauf le roi
Charles de Sicile et l'ancien capitaine général de Boniface VIII, Charles de
Valois, il n'y avait pas alors un seul prince dans toute la chrétienté sur
l'épée duquel le Souverain-Pontife eût le droit de compter »[3].
« Aussitôt après son couronnement – écrit encore Léon
Gauthier ―, Benoît voulut faire cesser ces luttes, si fatales aux
destinées de l'Église, auxquelles les factions se livraient dans Rome. Tout
d'abord, il parut réussir : son aménité lui concilia l'amour des deux
partis qu'il avait trouvés dans la plus dangereuse effervescence. Lorsqu'il
avait fait son entrée à Rome, les poignards s'aiguisaient ; il y avait des
haines féroces qui se dressaient l'une contre l'autre ; on craignait de
nouvelles effusions de sang, de nouveaux incendies, de nouveaux crimes. Quelques
jours après l'avènement du successeur de Boniface, Rome respirait en liberté et
tout y était paisible ; mais en apparence, hélas ! »[4]
Malgré toutes ces difficultés, Benoit XI, au court
de son pontificat qui ne dura que huit mois, “promut la paix de l’Église, la
restauration de la discipline et le développement de la religion”.
Le roi de France, de cette France “fille aînée de
l’Église”, prônait déjà une séparation entre l’Église et l’État, en affirmant
solennellement :
« Il faut que l'Église n'ait au temporel aucun
pouvoir sur la république chrétienne ; aux rois appartient une puissance
sans contrôle et Jésus-Christ n'a point de droit sur les couronnes ».
Ne s’étant pas fait que des amis, il faut
empoisonné et mourut le 7 juillet 1304, après un an de pontificat. Clément V
lui succéda.
« Le 13 février 1734, la cause de sa
canonisation fut admise par la sacrée Congrégation des Rites ; le pape
Clément XII donna son approbation à ce décret qui fut reçu par l'Ordre de saint
Dominique avec des acclamations de joie.
On sait, toutefois, avec quelle prudente lenteur le
Saint-Siège a toujours voulu procéder en de semblables conjonctures. Plus de
deux ans furent consacrés à préparer seulement les pièces relatives à la
Béatification. Le 21 avril 1736, la Congrégation des Rites, après avoir
consulté le cardinal Ansideo, évêque de Pérouse, et avoir entendu le promoteur
de la foi, répondit affirmativement à cette question posée autrefois par le
pape Urbain VIII sur une requête de l'évêque de Pérouse : “Est-il vrai
qu'un culte ait été de temps immémorial rendu au bienheureux Benoît ?”
Par des décrets en date du 9 novembre et du 15
décembre 1738, une messe et un office furent accordés au saint successeur de
Boniface ; mais, sans parler ici de son Ordre, dans les seuls diocèses de
Trévise où il était né et de Pérouse où il était mort. On devait en son honneur
célébrer la messe Statuit du Commun d'un confesseur pontife, avec une oraison propre.
Ce fut sans doute le 7 juillet 1739 que la fête du
bienheureux Benoît fut célébrée pour la première fois. »[5]
Alphonse Rocha
[2] Léon Gautier : Benoît XI : Étude sur la
papauté au commencement du XIVe siècle, page 48.
[3] Ibidem,
page 53.
[4] Léon Gautier : Benoît XI : Étude sur la
papauté au commencement du XIVe siècle, pages 57-58.
[5] Ibidem :
pages 198-199.
SOURCE : http://nova.evangelisation.free.fr/benoit11_pape.htm<Benoît XI
Niccolo (Nicolas) Boccasino, fils d’un notaire
impérial de Trévise, naît en 1240.
Il est instruit par son oncle, un prêtre.
A 14 ans il entre comme novice chez les Frères Prêcheurs.
En 1296, Nicolas de Trévise devient le Maître général de l'Ordre des Frères Prêcheurs.
Il écrit ses admirables Commentaires sur le Psautier, sur Job et sur l'Apocalypse, ses Commentaire sur saint Matthieu, son livre De Ritibus, trois lettres aux Frères de son ordre, les Actes de ses légations et le recueil de ses Sermons.
Il est nommé cardinal-prêtre de Sainte-Sabine par Boniface VIII le 5 décembre 1298.
En 1300 il est promu cardinal-évêque d'Ostie et de Velletri.
Le 13 mai 1301, il est fait légat de Hongrie.
Elu pape le 22-10-1303, il choisit le nom de "Benoît" en souvenir, dit-il, de son prédécesseur Benoît Cajetan (Boniface VIII) ; il est consacré le 27.
Dans une lettre écrite suite à son élection, l'Eglise de Perse le reconnaît comme "chef universel". 2
Benoît XI affermit la paix dans l’Eglise et restreint les pouvoirs de l’Inquisition.
Il tente de mettre un terme aux luttes intestines en Toscane.
Il réprime les scandales qui souillent les Églises de Dalmatie et de Serbie.
Il estime qu’on ne doit parler que du "bienheureux" Charlemagne, son nom ne figurant pas au martyrologe romain.
Il meurt à Pérouse en Ombrie le 7-7-1304 (peut-être empoisonné par des figues apportées par une inconnue ; on accusa également le frère mineur Bernard Délicieux, adversaire de l’inquisition, d’avoir empoisonné le pape dont il avait annoncé la mort).
Il est béatifié par Clément XII en 1736.
"(...) Il fut remarquable par sa bienveillance et sa douceur, redresseur des querelles et ami de la paix. Il promut, pendant un bref pontificat, la paix de l’Église, la restauration de la discipline et le développement de la religion." 1
Prophétie de Malachie : Concionator patareus (Le prêcheur de Patare).
1303. 22 octobre, élection du pape (il est
consacré le 27). Charles, roi de Sicile, bat les Sarrasins à Lucera que le pape
rebaptise Sainte-Marie de la Victoire (16 novembre). 7 décembre, suite à l’attentat d’Anagni, "crime épouvantable"
commis contre son prédécesseur
Boniface VIII, Benoît XI excommunie par une bulle les fils de
perdition, Nogaret et Sciarra Colonna (mais pas le roi de France
Philippe IV le Bel). 23 décembre, le pape fait rentrer en grâce Pierre et
Jacques Colonna en levant l'excommunication qui frappe la famille Colonna.
1303-1307. Comptant bientôt 4 000 partisans, Dolcino et sa compagne, Margarita de Trente, organisent la guérilla dans les régions de Novare et de Verceil ; le mouvement des apostoliques dulcinistes prend une allure de jacquerie et résistera à plusieurs expéditions militaires que Clément V assimilera à des croisades et enrichira d’indulgences. Vaincus par la famine, les dolciniens seront écrasés le 23 mars 1307. Dolcino et Margarita subiront les supplices les plus odieux. Dolcino sera brûlé le 1er juin 1307.
1304. 14 janvier, le pape annule un certain nombre de décisions prises sans le consentement du Sacré-Collège par Boniface VIII. 25 mars, une bulle délie Philippe le Bel de toutes les censures ecclésiastiques et accorde le pardon à tous les Français compromis dans l'affaire d'Anagni, exception faite du chancelier Guillaume de Nogaret. 13 avril, le pape, menacé à Rome par les Colonna triomphants, se réfugie à Pérouse. 13 mai, le pape délivre officiellement le roi de France des "liens de l'excommunication" (la nouvelle parvient à Paris le 28 juin). 7 juin, le pape fulmine une bulle d'excommunication contre "Sciarra Colonna, Guillaume de Nogaret, et en général contre tous les impies" qui ont coopéré à l'attentat d'Anagni. 7 juillet, Pérouse, mort du pape.
1303-1307. Comptant bientôt 4 000 partisans, Dolcino et sa compagne, Margarita de Trente, organisent la guérilla dans les régions de Novare et de Verceil ; le mouvement des apostoliques dulcinistes prend une allure de jacquerie et résistera à plusieurs expéditions militaires que Clément V assimilera à des croisades et enrichira d’indulgences. Vaincus par la famine, les dolciniens seront écrasés le 23 mars 1307. Dolcino et Margarita subiront les supplices les plus odieux. Dolcino sera brûlé le 1er juin 1307.
1304. 14 janvier, le pape annule un certain nombre de décisions prises sans le consentement du Sacré-Collège par Boniface VIII. 25 mars, une bulle délie Philippe le Bel de toutes les censures ecclésiastiques et accorde le pardon à tous les Français compromis dans l'affaire d'Anagni, exception faite du chancelier Guillaume de Nogaret. 13 avril, le pape, menacé à Rome par les Colonna triomphants, se réfugie à Pérouse. 13 mai, le pape délivre officiellement le roi de France des "liens de l'excommunication" (la nouvelle parvient à Paris le 28 juin). 7 juin, le pape fulmine une bulle d'excommunication contre "Sciarra Colonna, Guillaume de Nogaret, et en général contre tous les impies" qui ont coopéré à l'attentat d'Anagni. 7 juillet, Pérouse, mort du pape.
Vacance du Saint-Siège
1304. 18 août, les Flamands sont battus à Mons-en-Pévèle près de Lille. 2 septembre, Rainier Ier Grimaldi, au service de Philippe IV le Bel, détruit la flotte flamande devant Zeriksee et reçoit le titre d’Amiral de France.
1305. 4 avril, mort de la reine Jeanne de Navarre : par son testament, elle fonde à Paris le Collège de Navarre pour les pauvres étudiants champenois ; son fils, Louis le Hutin, héritier de la couronne de France, devient roi de Navarre sous le nom de Louis Ier de Navarre. 5 juin, élection du pape CLÉMENT V.
1304. 18 août, les Flamands sont battus à Mons-en-Pévèle près de Lille. 2 septembre, Rainier Ier Grimaldi, au service de Philippe IV le Bel, détruit la flotte flamande devant Zeriksee et reçoit le titre d’Amiral de France.
1305. 4 avril, mort de la reine Jeanne de Navarre : par son testament, elle fonde à Paris le Collège de Navarre pour les pauvres étudiants champenois ; son fils, Louis le Hutin, héritier de la couronne de France, devient roi de Navarre sous le nom de Louis Ier de Navarre. 5 juin, élection du pape CLÉMENT V.
Notes
1 http://nominis.cef.fr/contenus/saint/1459/Bienheureux-Benoit-XI.html
2 http://nouvl.evangelisation.free.fr/martyrologe_07.htm#7_juillet
Sources
Auteur : Jean-Paul Coudeyrette
Référence publication : Compilhistoire ; toute reproduction à but non lucratif est autorisée.
Date de mise à jour : 07/07/2015
SOURCE : http://compilhistoire.pagesperso-orange.fr/BenoitXI.html<
Blessed Benedict XI, OP Pope (RM)
Born in Treviso, Italy, 1240; died in Perugia, Italy, April 25, 1304; beatified
by Pope Clement XII in 1736. Nicholas Boccasini was born into a poor family of
which we know little else, though there are several different traditions
concerning it. One claims that his father was a poor shepherd. Another that he
was an impoverished nobleman. Whichever he was, he died when Nicholas was very
small, and the little boy was put in the care of an uncle, a priest at Treviso.
The child proved to be very intelligent, so his uncle had him trained
in Latin and other clerical subjects. When Nicholas was ten, his uncle got him
a position as tutor to some noble children. He followed this vocation until he
was old enough to enter the Dominican community at Venice in 1254. Here, and in
various parts of Italy, Nicholas spent the next 14 years, completing his
education. It is quite probable that he had Saint Thomas Aquinas for one of his
teachers.
Nicholas was pre-eminently a teacher at Venice and Bologna. He did
his work well according to several sources, including a testimonial from Saint
Antoninus, who said that he had "a vast store of knowledge, a prodigious
memory, a penetrating genius, and (that) everything about him endeared him to
all." In 1295, he received the degree of master of theology.
The administrative career of Nicholas Boccasini began with his
election as prior general of Lombardy and then as the ninth master general of
the Order of Preachers in 1296. His work in this office came to the notice of
the pope, who, after Nicholas had completed a delicate piece of diplomacy in
Flanders, appointed him cardinal in 1298.
The Dominicans hurried to Rome to protest that he should not be given
the dignity of a cardinal, only to receive from the pope the mystifying
prophecy that God had reserved an even heavier burden for Nicholas. As papal
legate Nicholas travelled to Hungary to try to settle a civil war there.
Boniface VIII did not always agree with the man he had appointed
cardinal-bishop of Ostia and dean of the sacred college. But they respected one
another, and in the tragic affair that was shaping up with Philip the Fair of
France, Cardinal Boccasini was to be one of only two cardinals who defended the
Holy Father, even to the point of offering his life.
Philip the Fair, like several other monarchs, discovered that his
interests clashed with those of the papacy. His action was particularly odious
in an age when the papal power had not yet been separated completely from
temporal concerns.
The French monarch, who bitterly hated Boniface, besieged the pope in
the Castle of Anagni, where he had taken refuge, and demanded that he resign
the papacy. His soldiers even broke into the house and were met by the pope,
dressed in full pontifical vestments and attended by two cardinals, one of whom
was Cardinal Boccasini. For a short time it looked as though the soldiers, led
by Philip's councilor William Nogaret, might kill all three of them, but they
refrained from such a terrible crime and finally withdrew after Nicholas rallied
the papal forces and rescued Boniface from Anagni.
Cardinal Boccasini set about the difficult task of swinging public
opinion to the favor of the pope. Successful at this, he stood sorrowfully by
when the pontiff died, broken-hearted by his treatment at the hands of the
French soldiers. On October 22, 1303, at the conclave following the death of
Boniface, the prophesied burden fell upon the shoulders of the cardinal-bishop
of Ostia, who took the name Benedict XI.
The reign of Benedict XI was too short to give him time to work out
any of his excellent plans for settling the troubles of the Church. Most of his
reign was taken up with undoing the damage done by Philip the Fair. He lifted
the interdict on the French people that had been laid down by his predecessor
and made an uneasy peace with Philip. He worked to reconcile warring parties in
Europe and the Church and to increase spirituality. His reign, short though it
was, was noted for its leniency and kindness.
There are few personal anecdotes regarding Benedict, but at least one
worth telling. Once, during his pontificate, his mother came to the papal court
to see him. The court attendants decided that she was too poorly dressed to
appear in the presence of the Holy Father, so they dressed her up in unaccustomed
finery before allowing her to see her son. Benedict, sensing what had happened,
told them he did not recognize this wealthy woman, and he asked them where was
the little widow, pious and poorly dressed, whom he loved so dearly.
Benedict XI died suddenly in 1304. He had continued to the end with
his religious observances and penances. Some people believed that he had been
poisoned, but there has never been any evidence that this was the case. Many
miracles were performed at his tomb, and there were several cures even before
his burial (Benedictines, Delaney, Dorcy).
In art, Pope Benedict wears a Dominican habit and papal tiara, while
holding the keys. He is venerated in Perugia (Roeder).
July
7
St.
Benedict XI., Pope and Confessor
HIS family name was Nicholas Bocasini. He was a native of
Treviso, which city was then an independent commonwealth, but since the year
1336 is subject to that of Venice. He was born in 1240, and studied first at
Treviso, and afterwards at Venice, where, at fourteen years of age, he took the
habit of St. Dominick. He seemed desirous to set no bounds to his fervour and
fidelity in the practice of every means of improving his soul daily in virtue;
and, during fourteen years, enriched his mind with an uncommon store of sacred
learning. After this term he was appointed professor and preacher at Venice and
Bologna, and with incredible fruit communicated to others those spiritual
riches which he had treasured up in silence and retirement, being always
careful by the same means to preserve and increase his own stock. He wrote
several sermons and comments on the holy scripture, which are still extant. He
was chosen provincial of Lombardy, and, in 1296, the ninth general of his
Order. On that occasion, by a pathetic circular letter, 1 he exhorted his brethren to a love of poverty, humility,
retirement, prayer, charity, and obedience. In 1297 he was sent by Boniface
VIII. nuncio into France, to be the mediator of peace between that nation and
the English; and was created cardinal during his residence there in 1298.
Nothing but the strict command of his Holiness could have obliged him to accept
that dignity, which cost him many tears. He was made soon after bishop of
Ostia, and dean of the sacred college; and in 1301 went legate a latere into
Hungary, to endeavour to compose the differences which divided that nation into
factions, and had already laid it waste by a dreadful civil war; in which
cardinal Bocasini succeeded to a miracle. He also abolished in that country
several superstitious practices, and other abuses and scandals. He afterwards
exerted his zeal in Austria and at Venice, being successively legate in both
those places.
Boniface VIII. dying on the 11th of October, 1303, the cardinals
entered the conclave on the 21st of the same month, and on the day following
unanimously chose our saint pope. He was seized with trembling at the news; but
being compelled to acquiesce, was crowned on the following Sunday. He continued
his former practices of humility, mortification, and penance. When his mother
came to his court in rich attire, he refused to see her till she had put on
again her former mean apparel. Rome was at that time torn by civil divisions,
especially by the factions of the Colonnas against the late pope; but the moderation,
meekness, and prudence of our saint soon restored the whole country to perfect
tranquillity. He pardoned the Colonnas and other rebels, Sciarra Colonna and
William of Nogaret excepted, who remained under the former sentence of
proscription. He pacified Denmark, and other kingdoms of the North, and
appeased the State and Church of France. He reconciled the cities of Venice and
Padua without effusion of blood. He joined his zealous endeavours with Helena,
queen of Servia, in the conversion of her son Orosius. This good pope died the
martyr of peace, to make which reign over the whole Christian world he seemed
only to have lived. Having sat only eight months and seventeen days, he
departed this life at Perugia, on the 6th of July, in the year of our Lord,
1304, of his age sixty-three. Some say he died of poison secretly given him by
the contrivance of certain wicked men who were enemies to the public
tranquillity. He was honoured by miracles, examined and approved by the bishop
of Perugia, and attested by Platina and other historians. See Conc. t. 10. also
his life collected by Pagi, in his Annals, and in an express work by the late
learned Dominican, F. Peter Thomas Campana; and Vie de S. Benoit XI. ou
Caractère de la Sainteté du B. Benoit XI. à Toulouse, 1739. See also F. Touron,
Hommes Illustres, t. 1. l. 7. p. 655. and Benedict XIV. de Canoniz, t. 4.
Append. and in his new Roman Martyrology on the 7th of July.
Note
1. Published
by Dom. Martenne, Anecdot. t. 4. [back]
Rev. Alban Butler (1711–73). Volume
VII: July. The Lives of the Saints. 1866.
SOURCE : http://www.bartleby.com/210/7/076.html
Pope Benedict XI
(Nicholas Boccasini)
Sources
Waldron, Martin Augustine.
"Pope Benedict XI." The Catholic Encyclopedia. Vol. 2.
New York: Robert Appleton Company, 1907. 12 Jul. 2015 <http://www.newadvent.org/cathen/02429c.htm>.
SOURCE : http://www.newadvent.org/cathen/02429c.htm
Domenicano, apprezzato per la sua umiltà e la sua pietà, divenuto Provinciale della Lombardia, riuscì a mettere pace tra i Domenicani e la città di Parma. Eletto nel capitolo di Strasburgo, promosse una tregua tra Edoardo I d'Inghilterra e Filippo il Bello. Nominato cardinale da Bonifacio VIII, non riuscì ad evitare che questi emanasse la Bolla che vietava agli ordini mendicanti di predicare e confessare fuori dai propri conventi. Nonostante ciò, si mantenne fedele a Bonifacio VIII durante il triste periodo di Anagni. Una volta papa entrò di fermare la lotta tra Filippo il Bello e i Colonna. Accortosi che l'opera di pacificazione era difficile in Roma, si trasferì a Perugia dove morì dopo una vita dedicata a comporre i dissidi che laceravano il suo secolo.
Poco dopo il Boccasini, figlio di un'umile lavandaia trevigiana, riuscì a realizzare una difficile tregua d'armi tra il re d'Inghilterra, Edoardo I, e il re di Francia, Filippo il Bello. Questa sua missione di pace, coronata dall'insperato successo, valse al generale dei domenicani il cappello cardinalizio, accordatogli da papa Bonifacio VIII, che intese con questa nomina premiare anche tutto l'ordine domenicano, per la sua adesione al pontefice. Il cardinale Boccasini era ad Anagni accanto a Bonifacio VIII quando questi venne colpito dallo schiaffo dell'emissario di Filippo il Bello, Guglielmo di Nogaret.
Morto Bonifacio VIII, i cardinali, riuniti in conclave a Roma, il 22 ottobre 1303 gli diedero come successore proprio il cardinale Boccasini, uomo conciliante e il più indicato a mettere riparo all'increscioso conflitto tra il papato e il re di Francia. Il nuovo pontefice, che assunse il nome di Benedetto XI, rispose alle attese. Pur mostrandosi duro con l'esecutore materiale del sacrilego gesto (rinnovò la scomunica al Nogaret e a Sciarra Colonna), sciolse il re dalle censure in cui era incorso.
Benedetto XI alla residenza romana preferì quella di Perugia, per tenersi lontano dai tumulti e dalle insidie, e dedicarsi al pacifico governo della Chiesa. Ma anche qui pare sia stato raggiunto dall'odio dei suoi nemici: sentendosi venir meno dopo aver assaggiato un fico fresco, probabilmente iniettato di veleno, fece spalancare le porte del palazzo per concedere un'ultima udienza e benedizione ai fedeli. Tra gli atti del suo breve pontificato (22 ottobre 1303 - 7 luglio 1304), c'è il decreto che fa obbligo a ogni cristiano di confessarsi almeno una volta all'anno.
Autore: Piero Bargellini
Voir aussi : http://www.persee.fr/web/revues/home/prescript/article/mefr_0223-4874_1888_num_8_1_6543
http://www.persee.fr/web/revues/home/prescript/article/mefr_0223-4874_1894_num_14_1_6785
Pope Benedict XI
(Nicholas Boccasini)
Born at Treviso, Italy, 1240; died at Perugia, 7 July, 1304. He entered the Dominican Order at the age of fourteen. After fourteen years
of study, he became lector of theology, which office he filled for several years. In
1296 he was elected Master General
of the Order. As at this time
hostility to Boniface VIII was becoming more pronounced, the
new general issued an ordinance forbidding his subjects to favour in any way
the opponents of the reigning pontiff;
he also enjoined on them to defend in their sermons,
when opportune, the legitimacy
of the election of Boniface. This loyalty of Boccasini,
which remained unshaken to the end, was recognized by Boniface, who showed him many marks of favour and confidence.
Thus with the two cardinal-legates, the Dominican General
formed the important embassy, the purpose of which was the concluding of an
armistice between Edward I of England and Philip IV of France, then at war with each other. In the year 1298 Boccasini
was elevated to the cardinalate; he was afterwards appointed Bishop of Ostia and Dean
of the Sacred College. As at that time Hungary was rent by civil war, the cardinal-bishop was sent thither by the Holy See as legate a latere to
labour for the restoration of peace. At the time of the return of the legate to Rome, the famous contest of Boniface VIII with Philip the Fair had reached its height. When, in 1303, the
enemies of the pope had made themselves masters of the sacred
palace, of all the cardinals and prelates only the two Cardinal-Bishop of Ostia and Sabina
remained at the side of the venerable Pontiff
to defend him from the violence of William of Nogaret and Sciarra Colonna.
A month after this
scene of violence, Boniface having died, Boccasini
was unanimously elected Pope,
22 October, taking the name of Benedict
XI. The principal event of his pontificate was the restoration of peace with
the French court. Immediately
after his election Philip
sent three ambassadors to the pope bearing the royal letter of congratulation.
The king, while professing his obedience
and devotion, recommended to the
benevolence of the pope the Kingdom
and Church of France. Benedict,
judging a policy of indulgence
to be necessary for the restoration of peace with
the French court, absolved
Philip and his subjects from the
censures they had incurred and
restored the king and kingdom to
the rights and privileges
of which they had been deprived by Boniface. The Colonna
cardinals were also absolved
from their censures, but not
reinstated in their former dignities. This policy of leniency Benedict
carried out without compromising the dignity of the Holy See or the memory
of Boniface VIII. Nogaret and Sciarra Colonna
and those implicated in the outrage of Anagni were declared excommunicated and summoned to appear before the pontifical
tribunal. After a brief pontificate
of eight months, Benedict died
suddenly at Perugia. It was suspected, not altogether
without reason, that his sudden
death was caused by poisoning through the agency of William of Nogaret. Benedict
XI was beatified in the year 1773. His feast is celebrated at Rome and throughout the Dominican Order on the 7th of July. He is the author of a volume
of sermons and commentaries
on a part of the Gospel of St.
Matthew, on the Psalms,
the Book of Job,
and the Apocalypse.
PTOL.
LUC., Hist. Eccl. III, 672; BERNARDUS GUIDONIS, Vit.
pont. rom., IX, 1010; Script. Ord. Præd., I, 444;
GRANDJEAN, Les registres de Benoît XI (Paris, 1883); FUNKE, Papst Benedikt XI (Münster, 1891); ARTAUD DE MONTOR, History
of the Popes (New York, 1867), I, 481-484; Année Dominicaine,
vii, 125-54; 874-77; and the monograph of FERRETON (Treviso, 1904).
Transcription. This article was transcribed for
New Advent by WGKofron. In memory of Fr. John Hilkert, Akron, Ohio — Fidelis servus et
prudens, quem constituit Dominus super familiam suam.
Ecclesiastical approbation. Nihil Obstat. 1907. Remy Lafort, S.T.D., Censor. Imprimatur. +John M. Farley, Archbishop of New
York.
SOURCE : http://www.newadvent.org/cathen/02429c.htm
Pope St. Benedict XI
Nicholas Boccasini born at Treviso, Italy, 1240; died
at Perugia, 7 July, 1304. He entered the Dominican Order at the age of
fourteen. After fourteen years of study, he became lector of theology, which
office he filled for several years. In 1296 he was elected Master General of
the Order. As at this time hostility to Boniface VIII was becoming more
pronounced, the new general issued an ordinance forbidding his subjects to
favour in any way the opponents of the reigning pontiff; he also enjoined on
them to defend in their sermons, when opportune, the legitimacy of the election
of Boniface. This loyalty of Boccasini, which remained unshaken to the end, was
recognized by Boniface, who showed him many marks of favour and confidence.
Thus with the two cardinal-legates, the Dominican General formed the important
embassy, the purpose of which was the concluding of an armistice between Edward
I of England and Philip IV of France, then at war with each other. In the year
1298 Boccasini was elevated to the cardinalate; he was afterwards appointed
Bishop of Ostia and Dean of the Sacred College. As at that time Hungary was
rent by civil war, the cardinal-bishop was sent thither by the Holy See as
legate a latere to labour for the restoration of peace. At the time of the return
of the legate to Rome, the famous contest of Boniface VIII with Philip the Fair
had reached its height. When, in 1303, the enemies of the pope had made
themselves masters of the sacred palace, of all the cardinals and prelates only
the two Cardinal-Bishops of Ostia and Sabina remained at the side of the
venerable Pontiff to defend him from the violence of William of Nogaret and
Sciarra Colonna, whom he excommunicated. A month after this scene of violence,
Boniface having died, Boccasini was unanimously elected Pope, 22 October,
taking the name of Benedict XI. The principal event of his pontificate was the
restoration of peace with the French court. After a brief pontificate of eight
months, Benedict died suddenly at Perugia. It was suspected, not altogether
without reason, that his sudden death was caused by poisoning through the
agency of William of Nogaret. Benedict XI was beatified in the year 1773.
His feast is celebrated at Rome and throughout the
Dominican Order on the 7th of July. He is the author of a volume of sermons and
commentaries on a part of the Gospel of St. Matthew, on the Psalms, the Book of
Job, and the Apocalypse.
Beato Benedetto XI (Niccolò
Boccasini) Papa
Treviso, 1240 - 1304
(Papa dal
27/10/1303 al 07/07/1304)
Domenicano, apprezzato per la sua umiltà e la sua pietà, divenuto Provinciale della Lombardia, riuscì a mettere pace tra i Domenicani e la città di Parma. Eletto nel capitolo di Strasburgo, promosse una tregua tra Edoardo I d'Inghilterra e Filippo il Bello. Nominato cardinale da Bonifacio VIII, non riuscì ad evitare che questi emanasse la Bolla che vietava agli ordini mendicanti di predicare e confessare fuori dai propri conventi. Nonostante ciò, si mantenne fedele a Bonifacio VIII durante il triste periodo di Anagni. Una volta papa entrò di fermare la lotta tra Filippo il Bello e i Colonna. Accortosi che l'opera di pacificazione era difficile in Roma, si trasferì a Perugia dove morì dopo una vita dedicata a comporre i dissidi che laceravano il suo secolo.
Etimologia: Benedetto = che augura il bene, dal latino
Martirologio
Romano: A Perugia, transito del beato Benedetto XI, papa, dell’Ordine dei
Predicatori, che, benevolo e mite, nemico delle contese e amante della pace,
nel breve tempo del suo pontificato promosse la concordia nella Chiesa, il
rinnovamento della disciplina e la crescita della devozione religiosa.
Treviso,
la diocesi che dette alla Chiesa S. Pio X, è la patria di un altro papa,
elevato agli onori degli altari: Benedetto XI. Come S. Pio X, anche Benedetto
XI, per l'anagrafe Niccolò Boccasini, nato a Treviso nel 1240, proveniva da
modestissima famiglia. Sua madre faceva la lavandaia nel vicino convento dei
domenicani e questa sua mansione favorì l'ingresso del figlio nel giovane
ordine di S. Domenico. Indossato l'abito religioso a diciassette anni, Niccolò
completò gli studi a Milano. Ordinato sacerdote, fece ritorno a Treviso dove
svolse il compito di insegnante nel proprio convento. Si distinse per mitezza
di carattere, purezza di vita, umiltà e pietà. Eletto nel 1286 superiore
provinciale della vasta regione lombarda, dieci anni dopo fu chiamato a
succedere a Stefano di Besancon nella carica di generale dell'Ordine.
Poco dopo il Boccasini, figlio di un'umile lavandaia trevigiana, riuscì a realizzare una difficile tregua d'armi tra il re d'Inghilterra, Edoardo I, e il re di Francia, Filippo il Bello. Questa sua missione di pace, coronata dall'insperato successo, valse al generale dei domenicani il cappello cardinalizio, accordatogli da papa Bonifacio VIII, che intese con questa nomina premiare anche tutto l'ordine domenicano, per la sua adesione al pontefice. Il cardinale Boccasini era ad Anagni accanto a Bonifacio VIII quando questi venne colpito dallo schiaffo dell'emissario di Filippo il Bello, Guglielmo di Nogaret.
Morto Bonifacio VIII, i cardinali, riuniti in conclave a Roma, il 22 ottobre 1303 gli diedero come successore proprio il cardinale Boccasini, uomo conciliante e il più indicato a mettere riparo all'increscioso conflitto tra il papato e il re di Francia. Il nuovo pontefice, che assunse il nome di Benedetto XI, rispose alle attese. Pur mostrandosi duro con l'esecutore materiale del sacrilego gesto (rinnovò la scomunica al Nogaret e a Sciarra Colonna), sciolse il re dalle censure in cui era incorso.
Benedetto XI alla residenza romana preferì quella di Perugia, per tenersi lontano dai tumulti e dalle insidie, e dedicarsi al pacifico governo della Chiesa. Ma anche qui pare sia stato raggiunto dall'odio dei suoi nemici: sentendosi venir meno dopo aver assaggiato un fico fresco, probabilmente iniettato di veleno, fece spalancare le porte del palazzo per concedere un'ultima udienza e benedizione ai fedeli. Tra gli atti del suo breve pontificato (22 ottobre 1303 - 7 luglio 1304), c'è il decreto che fa obbligo a ogni cristiano di confessarsi almeno una volta all'anno.
Autore: Piero Bargellini
Voir aussi : http://www.persee.fr/web/revues/home/prescript/article/mefr_0223-4874_1888_num_8_1_6543
http://www.persee.fr/web/revues/home/prescript/article/mefr_0223-4874_1894_num_14_1_6785
