Butinone
Bernardino, 1450 - 1507, fresco. Italy: Lombardy: Milan: Santa Maria delle
Grazie Church
Wizja
Reginalda z Orleanu, fresk autorstwa
Butinone Bernardina, 1450 - 1507 w kościele Santa Maria delle Grazie w
Mediolanie
Bienheureux Réginald
Frère prêcheur, doyen de
la collégiale Saint Aignan d'Orléans (+ 1220)
"Né à Saint-Gilles dans la seconde moitié du XIIe siécle, Réginald fait de brillantes études et enseigne le droit canon à Paris. Il devient doyen de la collégiale Saint-Aignan d'Orléans. Au cours d'un pèlerinage à Rome, il rencontre Saint Dominique et se fait Frère prêcheur. Saint Dominique l'envoie à Bologne où, grâce à sa parole et ses vertus, il obtient de très grands succès. On l'appelle un second Elie. Il part enfin à Paris sur l'ordre de Saint Dominique et y meurt (février 1220) en odeur de sainteté. Son tombeau à Sainte Marie aux Champs s'illustra de miracles et c'est là que commença son culte."
- les saints du diocèse de Nîmes
Originaire de Saint-Gilles du Gard, il fit ses études puis enseigna le droit canonique à l'Université de Paris, de 1206 à 1211. Nommé doyen de la collégiale Saint Aignan d'Orléans, il rencontra saint Dominique lors d'un séjour à Rome et il en devint l'un de ses plus fervents disciples. Il contribua à l'établissement des Dominicains à Bologne et à Paris. Son culte fut confirmé en 1877.
À Paris, en 1220, le bienheureux Réginald d'Orléans, prêtre, qui passant à
Rome, fut saisi par la parole de saint Dominique et entra dans l'Ordre des
Prêcheurs, auquel il attira un grand nombre par l'exemple de ses vertus et le
feu de sa parole.
Martyrologe romain
SOURCE : https://nominis.cef.fr/contenus/saint/944/Bienheureux-R%C3%A9ginald.html
Réginald d'Orléans (1175-1220)
Réginald serait né vers 1175 à Saint-Gilles dans le Languedoc (il est
d'ailleurs aussi connu sous le nom de Réginald de Saint-Gilles). Docteur de
l'Université de Paris, il y enseigne, à partir de 1206 et pendant 5 ans, le
droit canonique. Il est bientôt nommé doyen de l'église Saint-Aignan, charge
qu'il assurera jusqu'en 1218. Il est alors déjà célèbre pour son éloquence.
Pourtant c'est un autre
fait qui viendra renforcer sa renommée : en 1218, cherchant sa vocation, il
décide d'entreprendre un pèlerinage qui doit le mener à Rome puis en Terre
Sainte. Dès son arrivée à Rome, il est accueilli par Saint Dominique qui vient
de fonder l'Institut des Frères Prêcheurs et il décide d'embrasser cet ordre
qui prône la pauvreté et l'évangélisation. Mais pris de fortes fièvres, il se
retrouve rapidement à l'article de la mort.
La Vierge lui serait
alors apparue accompagnée de Sainte Cécile (représentée à droite sur le
tableau), portant une flasque d'huile, et de Sainte Catherine d'Alexandrie.
Elle lui aurait alors
demandé ce qu'il désirait, ce à quoi Réginald aurait répondu : "Grande
Reine, je ne désire qu'une chose, c'est que votre volonté soit accomplie sur
moi pour la vie ou pour la mort".
La Vierge aurait alors
fait une onction sur ses membres avec l'huile sacrée et lui aurait montré
l'image du vêtement dominicain apportée par Sainte Catherine, en lui disant
:"Voici la forme de l'habit de ton ordre".
Enfin guéri, Réginald
prononce alors ses voeux et accomplit son pélerinage jusqu'à Jérusalem en
reconnaissance. A son retour, il commence à prêcher, d'abord à Bologne, puis à
Paris où il convainc de nombreux étudiants d'intégrer sa congrégation.
Après seulement 2 ans
d'activité évangélisatrice, il meurt en 1220, pleuré par son ordre. Sa fête est
célébrée le 17 février.
Prière au Bienheureux
Réginald : O Bienheureux Réginald, patron des pauvres fiévreux, priez pour
nous.
O Bienheureux Réginald, le bien-aimé du grand Roi, vous que la Reine des Anges
daignant visiter dans son amour a guéri de la fièvre et de ses langueurs, et
revêtu de l'habit des Frères Prêcheurs de Saint Dominique, par le secours de
vos prières, guérissez les fièvres de nos âmes afin que dans la société des
saints nous contemplions un jour le Roi des Siècles.
SOURCE : http://cdvorleans.free.fr/Aignan_reginald.htm
Bx Réginald de Saint Gilles
Prêtre dominicain
Commémoration :
Martyrologium Romanum le 01 février (dies natalis).
Ordo Fratrum Praedicatorum le 12 février.
Réginald naît à St-Gilles du Gard entre 1180 e
1183.
À 18 ans il va à Paris où il fait de brillantes études
et enseigne le droit canon de 1206 à 1211, puis il est nommé doyen de la
collégiale Saint-Aignan d'Orléans. Les intérêts considérables du Chapitre de
Saint-Aignan réclamaient à cette époque un homme expert dans l’art de la
procédure. Réginald fut élu prévôt du Chapitre, mais rêvait de devenir pauvre et
libre.
En 1216, l’évêque d’Orléans, ayant fait vœu d’aller en
pèlerinage aux Lieux Saints, le prend comme compagnon de voyage. À Rome,
Réginald rencontra saint Dominique (c’est l’époque où celui-ci est auprès du
pape Honorius III pour faire approuver son Ordre), et fut saisi par sa parole.
Le plan du pauvre de Dieu, son zèle, son affranchissement vis-à-vis de toutes
choses humaines, sa liberté pour l’œuvre de Dieu, son intelligence des besoins
du temps et spécialement des milieux qu’avait fréquentés l’ancien professeur,
c’était le rêve secret de Réginald réalisé. Du coup, il se met à l’entière
disposition de St Dominique.
Mais voilà que Réginald tombe gravement malade. Dans
la nuit la Vierge Marie lui apparaît, avec Ste Catherine et Ste Cécile. « Demande-moi
ce que tu veux et je te le donnerai », dit la Vierge. Réginald s’en remet
à son bon plaisir. La Vierge fit des onctions sur ses membres malades, puis,
des mains de Catherine prenant le scapulaire, elle dit à Réginald : « Voici
l’habit de ton Ordre. » La Vierge disparut, Réginald se trouva guéri. Il
fut aussitôt mis par St Dominique à la tête du couvent de Bologne. A peine
arrivé, il prêche et Bologne accourt.
Diana degli Andalò (1201-1236 - béatifiée an
1888),future fondatrice du monastère dominicain Sainte-Agnès de Bologne, est
aussi retournée. Elle deviendra sa fille spirituelle et aidera à la mise en
place du couvent des frères. En huit jours, par sa parole, Réginald a conquis
la ville. L’université entame ses activités ; les maîtres et les étudiants
s’empressent autour de sa chaire, plusieurs demandent l’habit de l’Ordre.
En 1219, après trois ans en Espagne, St Dominique
retrouvait une communauté nombreuse et vivante, là même où quelques frères
languissaient auparavant. Il envoie Réginald à Paris à l’automne de cette même
année, mais Réginald dut renoncer à toute prédication. Il eut juste le temps de
décider Jourdain de Saxe à entrer dans l’Ordre avant de mourir.
Jourdain le raconte dans son Libellus : « Frère Réginald, de sainte mémoire, s'en vint donc à Paris et se mit à prêcher avec une ferveur spirituelle infatigable, par la parole et par l'exemple, le Christ Jésus et Jésus crucifié. Mais le Seigneur l'enleva bientôt de la terre. Parvenu vite à son achèvement, il traversa en peu de temps une longue carrière. Enfin, il tomba bientôt malade et, arrivant aux portes de la mort charnelle, s'endormit dans le Seigneur et s'en alla vers les richesses de gloire de la maison de Dieu, lui qui, durant sa vie, s'était manifesté l'amant résolu de la pauvreté et de l'abaissement. Il fut enseveli dans l'église de Notre-Dame-des-Champs, car les frères n'avaient pas encore de lieu de sépulture.
La nuit même où l'esprit de ce saint homme s'envola vers le Seigneur, j'eus une vision. Je n'étais pas encore un frère selon l'habit, mais j'avais déjà émis ma profession entre ses mains. Je voyais donc les frères portés par un navire à travers les eaux. Puis le navire qui les portait coula ; mais les frères sortirent indemnes des eaux. J'estime que ce navire est frère Réginald lui-même, que les frères de ce temps, vraiment, considéraient comme le nourricier qui les portait. »
Jourdain se souvient de ces paroles de Réginald qui ont valeur de testament dans l’Ordre :
« Je crois n'avoir aucun mérite à vivre dans cet ordre, car j'y ai
toujours trouvé trop de joie. »
Réginald meurt le 12 février 1220 en odeur de
sainteté. Son tombeau à Notre-Dame-des-Champs s'illustra de miracles et c'est
là que commença son culte, qui fut confirmé, en 1875, par le Bx Pie IX
(Giovanni Maria Mastai Ferretti, 1846-1878).
Source principale : docteurangelique.forumactif.com/(« Rév. x gpm »).
©Evangelizo.org 2001-2016
SOURCE : http://levangileauquotidien.org/main.php?language=FR&module=saintfeast&localdate=20150212&id=1680&fd=0
Ludovico
Buti, Reginaldo d'Orléans prende gli abiti domenicani. Firenze, Santa Maria Novella.
Chiostro Grande in Santa Maria Novella church, fresco in Florence, Italy
Also
known as
Réginald de Saint-Gilles
Reginaldo…
1
February (Roman Martyrology)
17
February on some calendars
Profile
Priest. Professor of canon
law at the Sorbonne in Paris, France. Dean of
the collegiate church of
Saint-Agnan in Orléans, France.
While on pilgrimage in Rome, Italy in 1218,
the future Pope Gregory
IX introduced him to Saint Dominic
de Guzman. Reginald was moved by Dominic‘s preaching,
fascinated by some of his ideas, and the two became close friends. Following
a vision of
the Blessed
Virgin Mary presenting him in a Dominican habit,
and his miraculous cure from
the vision,
Reginald joined the Dominicans,
receiving the habit from Saint Dominic.
The two travelled to Bologna, Italy where
Reginald impressed many with his preaching,
and served as Dominican prior in
the area when Dominic travelled on. Prior of
the Dominican convent of
Saint-Jacques in Paris in 1219 where
he was known for his preaching,
and where he led many to join the Order.
Friend of Blessed Jordan
of Saxony, who wrote about
him and the fire of his preaching.
Born
early February 1220 in Paris, France of
natural causes
buried in
the Benedictine cemetery of
Notre-Dame-des-Champs in Paris
1875 by Pope Pius
IX (cultus
confirmation)
Additional
Information
Saints
and Saintly Dominicans, by Blessed Hyacinthe-Marie
Cormier, O.P.
Saints
of the Day, by Katherine Rabenstein
Short
Lives of the Dominican Saints
Stars
in Saint Dominic’s Crown, by Father Thomas
Austin Dyson
The
First Disciples of Saint Dominic, by Father Victor
Francis O’Daniel, O.P.
books
Our Sunday Visitor’s Encyclopedia of Saints
other
sites in english
Dominican Nuns of Summit, New Jersey
Dominican Sisters of Saint Cecilia
images
llocs
web en català
sitios
en español
Martirologio Romano, 2001 edición
fonti
in italiano
strony
w jezyku polskim
spletne
strani v slovenšcini
MLA
Citation
‘Blessed Réginald of
Orléans‘. CatholicSaints.Info. 12 February 2026. Web. 22 May 2026.
<https://catholicsaints.info/blessed-reginald-of-orleans/>
SOURCE : https://catholicsaints.info/blessed-reginald-of-orleans/
Blessed Reginald of
Saint-Gilles, OP (AC)
(also known as Reginald
of Orléans)
Born at Saint-Gilles,
Languedoc, France, c. 1183; died 1220; cultus confirmed in 1885.
Reginald received his
training at the University of Paris and thereafter taught canon law from 1206
to 1211 with great success. Because of his evident talents and virtues, he was
appointed dean of the cathedral chapter (Saint-Agnan) of Orléans. Here as in
Paris, he was renowned for the brilliance of his mind and the eloquence of his
preaching, as well as for his tender devotion to the Mother of God.
Since he was a very
zealous young man, Reginald was not content with his life as it was. He was in
truth leading a very holy life, but he yearned for more. He determined on a
pilgrimage to the Holy Land, perhaps to pray for light to know his vocation, and
on his way to Jerusalem he visited Rome. Here he discussed his desires with
Cardinal Hugh de Segni, explaining that he felt a great call to the primitive
poverty and preaching of the apostles but knew of no way to realize his hopes.
The cardinal replied that he knew the exact answer to his seeking and sent him
to Saint Dominic, who was in Rome at the time. Reginald hastened to open his
heart to the holy founder, and at Saint Dominic's words he knew he had come to
the end of his seeking.
Reginald had scarcely
made his decision to enter the Dominican order when he became so ill that his
life was in danger. Saint Dominic, who was greatly attracted to the young man
and knew what an influence for good he would be in the order, prayed earnestly
for his recovery. It was said of Dominic that he never asked anything of God
that he did not obtain. In any case, it was the Queen of Heaven herself who
came to cure the dying man and ransom him a little time on earth.
Our Lady, accompanied by
Saint Cecilia and Saint Catherine of Alexandria, appeared at Reginald's bedside
and anointed him with a heavenly perfume. The Blessed Mother showed him a long
white scapular and told him it was to be a part of the habit of the order.
Going away, she left him completely cured and filled with great joy. The
friars, who until that time, 1218, had worn the garb of he canons regular,
gladly changed to the scapular especially designed for them by the Mother of
God. Reginald was himself clothed with the Dominican habit, and in fulfillment
of his vows proceeded to the Holy Land.
On his return, Reginald
embarked on his brief but brilliant career of preaching. In Bologna and in
Paris, his eloquence and the shining beauty of his life drew hundreds to follow
him into the order. Among these were not only students but many famous
professors and doctors of law. One of his greatest conquests was the young
German dynamo, Jordan of Saxony, who was to be like Reginald himself--a
kidnapper of souls for the service of God.
The first to be given the
scapular and the first to wear the Dominican habit in the Holy Land, Reginald
was also the first Dominican to die in it. Consumed with the fiery zeal of his
work, he died in 1220, mourned by the entire order, when he had worn the habit
scarcely two years. He displayed no fear of death--perhaps Our Lady had told
him, on the occasion of the cure, that he was only loaned to life and the
order--but received the last sacraments with touching devotion (Benedictines,
Dorcy).
In art, Reginald is
generally portrayed in his sick bed being attended by Saint Dominic, at whose
prayer the Blessed Virgin appears with two female saints to anoint Reginald. He
may also be shown as a Dominican offering his scapular to the Virgin (Roeder).
SOURCE : http://www.saintpatrickdc.org/ss/0201.shtml
Saints
and Saintly Dominicans – 12 February
Blessed Réginald
of Orléans, O.P.
After having taught Canon
Law and made a pilgrimage to Rome Blessed Reginald had resolved to enter the
Order and had even made his vows in the hands of Saint Dominic, when he fell
dangerously ill of fever. The Blessed Virgin appeared to him, accompanied by
Saints Catherine and Cecilia, and asked him what he most desired. By the advice
of one of these saints, he left it to the wisdom of Our Blessed Lady to do as
she thought best. Then the Queen of Heaven cured him, anointed his feet to
prepare him to preach the Gospel of peace, and gave him the habit which in her
maternal goodness she had made and which she desired to see worn by her sons,
the Friars Preachers, saying: “Behold the habit of thine Order.” Blessed
Reginald having regained his health, preached with such eloquence that he
seemed like another Elias and was even compared to Saint Paul. By his ability
in governing, his prudence, charity and firmness, he became the right hand of
Saint Dominic, who seemed to be preparing him to be his successor. But God soon
took him away from the love of his brethren. He had already done enough for the
Order, in receiving and transmitting to it the Scapular of Mary, who has been
called the Blessed Vestiarian of the Order. He died preaching by his words and
works Jesus Christ and Him crucified and having his eyes raised, according to
his custom, towards Heaven.
Prayer
Blessed Reginald,
favorite of the Queen of Heaven, obtain for us the innocence and humility
symbolized by the black and white habit of the Friars Preachers.
Practice
Kiss your scapular with
respect, saying: “Monstra te esse Matrem.”
– taken from the
book Saints
and Saintly Dominicans, by Blessed Hyacinthe-Marie
Cormier, O.P.
SOURCE : https://catholicsaints.info/saints-and-saintly-dominicans-12-february/
Stars
in Saint Dominic’s Crown – Blessed Reginald of Orleans
Article
The memory of Blessed
Reginald has always been held dear by all who love the Dominican Order, for it
was to him that the Blessed Virgin first gave the white scapular, the
distinctive part of the Dominican habit.
He was born about the end
of the twelfth century; but neither the year of his birth, nor the town in
which he was born is known. He was certainly a native of France. Some of his
biographers say that he came into this world at Saint Gilles, a small town near
Arles, on account of which he is often called Reginald of Saint Gilles; but
others say that it was at Orleans.
He went to study at the
University of Paris about the year 1193, and gained the degree of Doctor of
Canon Law in 1206, when he was about thirty years of age. He lectured on Canon
Law in Paris for five years, after which his renown for learning and piety
having become known to the canons of Saint Aignan in Orleans, they chose him
for their Dean. This was about 1212, for his name as Dean is found in a deed
made in that year. The cartons of Saint Aignan lived under the rule of Saint
Augustine, and had always been remarkable for learning. They lived in
community, and being immediately subject to the Holy See, were exempt from
Episcopal jurisdiction. The kings of France had loaded them with honors and
gifts. They possessed ample revenues, and enjoyed the patronage of many rich
church benefices. Thus we see what an important and honorable office was
conferred on Blessed Reginald and we learn in what esteem he must have been
held since the canons were induced to elect him their superior.
On his arrival in Orleans
he found the chapter in confusion. The canons had opposed the late dean, and he
had led them into litigation with the bishop. In a few weeks, by moderation and
a spirit of reconciliation, Reginald had restored harmony to the chapter, and
made peace with the bishop, with whom he became so fast a friend that one
writer says, “These two were so strictly united that one would think the dean was
the bishop and the bishop the dean.” The duties of his office and the
quasi-monastic life led by the canons would have satisfied the aspirations of
hearts less noble or less pious than his. But he, in the greatness of his love
for God, was not con tent. The voice of his Divine Master seemed ever to be
whispering in his ears, “The harvest is great but the laborers are few.” The
thought of so many souls wandering away from God, oftentimes for the lack of a
guide to show them the way of truth, was ever in his mind. In the fulness of
his manhood, as well as in his youth, he had always dreamed of the apostolate,
and had yearned to spend his life in laboring for the salvation of souls in
some religious order, vowed to penance, prayer and preaching. But could such an
order be found?
While he was thus
unsettled in his mind the Bishop of Orleans invited him to accompany him on a
pilgrimage to Rome and the Holy Land. Reginald readily agreed, and they set out
early in the year 1218. They arrived in Rome about Easter. While in the Eternal
City Reginald became the friend of a Cardinal, to whom he opened his heart and
made known to him the state of his soul and its aspirations. He told him of his
longing to give up all for Christ’s sake, and being poor in deed as in heart to
go about preaching the gospel to the poor. The Cardinal answered that in the
newly founded order of Friar Preachers he would find all he desired, and told
him that the founder of the order, Dominic Guzman, famous already for his
holiness and miracles, was in Rome preaching daily to large crowds of people.
As soon as Reginald heard this he ran to find Saint Dominic, and soon fell
under our most holy Father’s influence, attracted by his sanctity and charmed
by his conversation and preaching; and finding in the new order all he desired
he determined to enter its ranks.
But before he could carry
out his intention he fell sick of a fever, which brought him to the verge of
death. When Saint Dominic heard of it he was afraid he would lose a disciple in
whom he had placed great hopes of increasing his infant order; and he began to
pray very earnestly to the Blessed Virgin to spare Reginald’s life. She heard
his prayers; for as Reginald was lying on his bed of sickness, momentarily
expecting death, the Blessed Mother of God appeared before his eyes. She was
accompanied by two beautiful maidens, one holding a vase of precious perfumes,
while the other carried a long white scapular in her hands. The Queen of Heaven
drew near him and said, “Ask of me what you wish and I will grant it.” But when
Reginald hesitated, one of the two saints told him to leave it to the Blessed
Virgin to give what she chose, to which he willingly agreed. Then the holy
mother of God taking the vase of heavenly oil, anointed him on the eyes, ears,
nostrils, mouth, feet and loins, saying a prayer for each, as is the custom of
the church in administering the sacrament of Extreme Unction. All the words she
said have not been recorded, but when she anointed his feet she said, “Let thy
feet be shod for the preaching of the gospel of peace;” and when she anointed
his reins she said, “Let thy reins be girt with the girdle of chastity.” Then
taking the white scapular from the hands of the attendant saint she gave it to
him, saying, “Behold the habit of thy order,” Immediately afterwards the vision
faded away. He was cured. Thus did she who healed the sins of mankind cure her
servant in his need.
Saint Dominic saw all
this while in prayer, and the next morning went to visit Reginald, and found
him in perfect health. Three days later this vision was repeated in the
presence of Saint Dominic and a monk of the order of Hospitallers of Saint
John. The holy virgin anointed Blessed Reginald anew, and a second time gave
him the white scapular. From that time no immodest temptations troubled him,
and he felt not the least sting of the flesh which could draw his mind away
from God. Saint Dominic having been a Canon of Saint Augustine in the Cathedral
of Osma, and having adopted the rule of that Saint for his order, had till then
worn the habit of an Augustinian Canon: a white tunic, and white linen
surplice. But, says Bernard Gui, after this heavenly vision, and the showing of
the scapular Brother Dominic and his Brethren took off their surplice and put
on the white scapular, retaining the cloak and tunic which heretofore they had
worn as Regular Canons. “Blessed are those,” says Thierry of Apoldia, “who have
been found worthy to be clothed with this habit, symbol of a threefold grace,
and woven by the strong woman for the guests of her house.”
Having recovered his
health by a miracle Reginald made his profession in the Dominican Order, and
then went to the Holy Land to fulfil his vow, leaving Rome in May, arriving in
Sicily in October of the same year. In Sicily he founded a monastery at Agosta,
near Syracuse. In the garden of that monastery there is still to be seen the
withered trunk of a Cyprus, from which there exhales a pleasant perfume. It is
held in great veneration; and the sick, especially those attacked by fever, go
to it to obtain health. More than one miraculous cure has rewarded their faith.
It is held for certain that this tree, of which only the trunk now remains, was
a staff given by Saint Dominic to Reginald at starting on his pilgrimage, and
which Reginald planted in the ground when he arrived at Agosta, and which took
root and blossomed. To this day it is called Saint Dominic’s tree.
After satisfying his
devotion at the shrines of the Holy Land Reginald returned to Rome. Saint
Dominic being about to visit Spain appointed him his vicar in his absence from
Italy, and sent him to the newly founded monastery of the order at Bologna.
Reginald arrived in that city December 21, 1218. The Brothers, who had been
sent there in the previous spring, were living in the direst poverty. Saint
Dominic visiting them on his way to Spain found them without bread, and renewed
the miracle he had worked in Saint Sixtus in Rome. At his prayer two angels
appeared in the refectory and served the brothers with bread of marvellous whiteness
and exquisite taste. Taking farewell he comforted them by telling them that he
would send them help in their need. He alluded to Reginald, their new vicar,
who as soon as he arrived in Bologna began to preach and quickly gained a
hearing for the little community unknown till then. His fiery eloquence soon
set the city in a ferment. Every one ran to hear the new Paul; in one week
Reginald was the most remarkable man in Bologna. Ecclesiastics of all ranks,
professors and students of the university soon entered an order which hitherto
had been unknown, or if known despised.
So numerous were the
sudden and unlooked-for conquests of Reginald’s persuasive voice that many were
afraid to go to listen to him for fear of being led to give up the world and join
the Dominican Order. Among them was a certain Master, or Professor, of the
University, called Moneta. In the “Vitae Fratrum” Father Gerard de Frachet
gives us an account of his vocation.
“When Blessed Reginald,
of holy memory, formerly Dean of Orleans, was fervently preaching in Bologna,
and attracting many clerics and professors, Master Moneta, at that time
lecturing in arts, who was famous in all Lombardy, having witnessed the
conversion of many began to fear much lest he too should be caught by Reginald’s
words; for which cause, as far as lay in him, he dissuaded all his scholars by
word of mouth, and by his own example, from going to his preaching. But on
Saint Stephen’s day, when his scholars invited their professor to the sermon,
as he could not excuse himself, neither on account of his lecture nor for any
other reason, he said to them, ‘Let us first go to Saint Proculus to hear
Mass.’ They went and heard not only one Mass but three. This he did to pass
away the time, so that it would be too late to go to the sermon. On their
insisting he said, ‘Let us now go to the sermon.’ They went, therefore, and
found Reginald already preaching, and the nave of the church so full that they
could not enter. Standing at the church doors and listening he was caught at
the first words. ‘Behold,’ said Reginald, ‘I see the heavens are now open.
Every one who wishes can enter by the open doors. May the unhappy, negligent
souls see and fear lest God should close His heart, mouth, hands, and the
Kingdom of Heaven so that they cannot enter. Why do you delay, O beloved?
Behold the heavens are opened!’
“After the sermon the
aforesaid professor went to Reginald, touched by the word of God, and declared
his state and occupations, and made his profession to him; but because he was
hindered in many ways, he remained for a year and over by Reginald’s permission
in the secular habit; yet not unprofitably, for as he had formerly turned away
many by his words, so afterwards he led many, not only to hear Reginald’s
sermons but also to enter the order. He took them to the sermon, and led now
one now another into the order, and seemed to renew his own profession with
each one. Having himself entered the order it is not easy to describe how holy
he was in word and doctrine, and how he excelled in refuting heresy.” (Vitae
Fratrum. Pars 4, Cap. 10.)
Blessed Reginald received
as many as one hundred into the order in the short space of six months, and his
sermons drew such a crowd to hear him that he was frequently obliged to preach
in the squares and streets. The Dominican Fathers had no church of their own in
Bologna. On their first arrival the Benedictines of Saint Proculus gave them
permission to say the divine office in that church. Some time afterwards the
Spanish regular canons of Roncevaux gave them asylum in their hospice, and the
charge of the church of Saint Mary of Mascarella. Like their Divine Master they
had no place whereon to lay their heads, and were dependent on the charity of
strangers. But in the spring of 1219, through the influence of Cardinal
Ugolino, Papal Legate, they obtained the church of Saint Nicolas of the Vines,
outside the city walls, the parish priest of that church entering the order. A
monastery was soon built, and the Fathers had a home of their own. But before they
entered it a great difficulty arose. The noble family of Andaio, one of the
most powerful in the north of Italy, possessed the right of patronage over the
church of Saint Nicolas, and the head of the family steadily refused to cede it
to the Dominicans. The same family owned the land round the church and
obstinately declined to sell it. But God, who often allows those who labor for
Him to be harassed with difficulties in the beginning of their enterprise, also
graciously smoothens the way when all hope seems to be lost. Diana, a daughter
of this noble house of Andaio, charmed by Blessed Reginald’s eloquence, came to
their aid, and persuaded her kinsfolk to sell the land and donate their rights
to the struggling community of Friars. She entered the second order of
Dominican Sisters, lived and died holily, and her name having always been held
in religious veneration, the process of her beatification is now before the
Holy See.
Successful in his
endeavors to establish the community of Bologna on a solid footing, Blessed
Reginald was no less so in the government of the Friars, and in his efforts to
lead them to a high degree of sanctity, both by example and by his loving
exhortations. First and foremost he upheld the strict observance of the
Dominican rule and constitutions. Let us hear Father Gerard de Frachet:
“It happened at Bologna
that when a certain Brother had received some coarse cloth without permission,
and it having come to the knowledge of Blessed Reginald, of happy memory, he
gave the Brother a severe discipline in the Chapter, and burnt the cloth in the
cloister publicly before all. But when the said Brother did not acknowledge his
fault, nor wished to humble himself to receive the discipline, but rather
murmured, the man of God told the Brothers to prepare him by force for the
discipline. Which having been done Reginald, his eyes turned towards Heaven,
said with tears, ‘O Lord Jesus Christ who didst grant to Thy servant Benedict
the power to drive the devil from the heart of one of his monks, grant I
beseech Thee that by the virtue of the discipline the temptation may be
expelled from the soul of this Brother.’ He therefore gave him a discipline so
great that the Brothers were affected to tears. But the weeping Brother arising
said, ‘I thank you, Father, for you have truly expelled the devil from me. I
distinctly felt a serpent go out of my reins.’ And continuing in these holy
dispositions he became a very good and humble Brother.”
Gerard de Frachet
continues thus, “A certain Brother, at Bologna, tempted to leave the order and
caught when he was going out of the monastery, was led to the chapter before
Blessed Reginald, and acknowledged his fault. Blessed Reginald told him to
prepare for the discipline. He disciplined him severely, and striking him forcibly
he said three times, ‘Come out of him, O demon!’ Then turning to the Brothers
he said, ‘Let us pray. Brothers, that by the discipline and prayer the devil
may fly from his heart.’ When he had prayed a long time the Brother cried out,
‘Listen to me. Father,’ who answering, ‘What do you say, my son?’ the Brother
said, ‘I assure you that the devil has gone out of me, and I promise to
persevere.’ Which having heard the Brothers were glad, giving thanks to God;
and the Brother, confirmed in his vocation, remained in the order.” (Vitae
Fratrum, Pars. IV. Cap. 2.)
It was thus that the love
of a true father and zeal for monastic discipline led Reginald to practise a
severity, which will be condemned no doubt by those who love pleasure more than
their soul’s welfare, but which all true Christians and lovers of the cross can
readily understand. Sometimes, however, although encouraged and sustained in
their vocation by Reginald’s lofty spirit, the Brothers were subjected to many
trials and doubts about their vocation. At one time a tide of spiritual
discouragement threatened to engulph them. Gerard de Frachet recounts what
passed on Ash Wednesday, 1219. “In the times” he says, “when the order of
Preachers was like a young flock and like a young plant, in the monastery of
Bologna a movement of temptation arose among the Brothers, which so cast them
down with fear, that many of them conferred among themselves as to which
religious order they could transfer themselves, fearing that the Dominican
order, an institution, new and as yet but little established, would come to
naught. This was the cause of such an excitement that some of the principal
Brothers, to wit, Brothers Theobald of Sienna, and Nicolas Campanus, thinking
that they could not continue in the order obtained permission to pass to a
Cistercian monastery, from Ugo, Bishop of Ostia, at that time Legate of the
Holy See, and afterwards Gregory IX; which letters of permission they presented
to Master Reginald. He called the Brothers together, and very sad and grieving,
made known to them the whole affair; and the aforesaid commotion began to
increase. While Master Reginald raised his eyes to heaven, and spoke in his
heart to God in whom was his whole hope. Brother Clair (a good and learned man,
who had taught all the liberal arts while in the world, and was skilled in
canon law and civil law, a man of great authority, and afterwards Prior
Provincial in the Roman Province, and Penitentiary and Chaplain to the Pope),
began to speak to the Brothers, and in many ways and by many reasons to comfort
them.”
“Hardly had he ended
speaking when behold! Master Roland, of Cremona, who was Regent of studies in
Bologna, whose fame for physics was spread through the whole of Lombardy, who
later on was the first among the (Dominican) Brothers to teach in Paris,
transported by the Spirit of God, fleeing from the world, and carrying with him
only a scarlet dress with which he was clothed, came all alone to the Brothers,
and knocked at the door, and entering, like a man drunk with the Holy Ghost, at
once, without any other words, asked to be received into the order. But Master
Reginald, from too great joy, not waiting till some one could seek for a habit
took off his own capuce, clothed him at once, and Brother Guala, who was then
sacristan having rung the bell, which was worth only twenty imperial pennies,
and the Brothers chanting the “Veni Sancte Spiritus” (Come, O Holy Spirit) as
was our custom, although on account of the abundance of tears and exuberance of
joy, they could hardly sing, there was a great crowd of men, women, and
students, and a wonderful excitement in the whole city.”
“A great devotion was
again stirred up towards the Brothers; they were universally praised, and all
the former temptations vanished. But the two Brothers, prostrating them- selves
in the middle of the chapter room acknowledged that they had done wrong, humbly
confessing their fault with tears, gave up their letters and persevered in the
order.” (Vitae Fratrum, Pars. I. Cap. 5.)
About August of the same
year (1219), the holy Father Saint Dominic, returning from Spain, came again to
Bologna. He was rejoiced to find so large a community, and that he had not been
mistaken in the abilities of Reginald his vicar. He sent him to Paris,
believing that he would do still more for the order in his native land, among
his own people. We can gain an inkling of the esteem Blessed Reginald was held
by his brothers from the testimony of one historian of the Dominican order, who
tells us that, although Saint Dominic himself, their founder and most beloved
father, took up his abode among them in Bologna, yet Reginald was deeply
regretted after his departure for Paris.
But whereas tears fell
from their eyes as he left them the little community in Paris was filled with
joy when he arrived. This joy, alas! was of short duration. He had returned to
his beloved France to die. Soon after his arrival, although his strength was
impaired by his long journey, he began again to preach and again drew many into
the order. His voice worked wonders. But it soon became evident that he could
not continue such labors, and at the same time live so penitential a life. The
Prior, Father Matthew, warned him and asked him how he could practise penances
so severe when he had been raised in luxury, and had enjoyed every delicacy in
his youth money could procure. Reginald answered, “I do not think I have
merited anything in the order, for I have always been so happy in it;” and he
continued his apostolic labors without softening any of his austerities.
Six months after his
arrival in Paris he was reduced to great weakness and came to the door of
death. Father Matthew suggested that he should receive the sacrament of extreme
unction without delay. “I do not fear death,” answered Reginald; “I await it
with joy. I also am awaiting the Mother of Mercy who anointed me in Rome, with
her own hands, in whom I place all my hope. But for fear that I might seem to
despise the ecclesiastical unction I am glad to receive it, and humbly beg you
to administer it to me.” After he had received that sacrament, in the presence
of all the Brothers devoutly kneeling in prayer, he calmly slept in the Lord.
It was in the beginning of February, 1220.
As the Dominicans had as
yet no right of burial in the church of Saint James, his body was buried in the
church of Notre Dame des Champs. For four centuries his tomb was a place of
pious pilgrimage, and became famous for miraculous cures. His body was taken up
between 1605 and 1608, found incorrupt, and placed in a shrine. In 1614 the church
of Notre Dame des Champs was given to the Carmelite Sisters, and, his tomb,
being within the enclosure, became forgotten, except by the Dominicans and the
Carmelite Sisters. During the great French revolution the holy relics
disappeared.
The immemorial cultus
paid to him was confirmed by Pius IX in 1875.
Prayer
Ant. I will liken him to
a wise man who built his house upon a rock.
V. Pray for us, O Blessed
Reginald.
R. That we may be made
worthy of the promises of Christ.
Let us pray.
Almighty and everlasting
God, Who hast given Thy blessed Confessor Reginald to Thy most holy Mother by a
special protection, grant that by his merits and prayer, we may be strengthened
by the perpetual help of the same glorious Mary, ever a virgin. Through Christ
our Lord. Amen.
MLA
Citation
Father Thomas Austin
Dyson, O.P. “Blessed
Reginald of Orleans”. Stars
in Saint Dominic’s Crown, 1897. CatholicSaints.Info.
25 June 2022. Web. 22 May 2026.
<https://catholicsaints.info/stars-in-saint-dominics-crown-blessed-reginald-of-orleans/>
SOURCE : https://catholicsaints.info/stars-in-saint-dominics-crown-blessed-reginald-of-orleans/
Short
Lives of the Dominican Saints – Blessed Reginald of Orleans, Confessor
Article
(died A.D. 1220)
Reginald was born at
Saint-Gilles in the south of France and had taught Canon Law with applause in
the University of Paris before being raised to the dignity of Dean of the
Chapter of Orleans. Coming to Rome in company with his Bishop in the beginning
of the year 1218, with the intention of visiting the tombs of the Apostles
before going on pilgrimage to the holy places of Jerusalem, he there became
acquainted with our Holy Father, Saint Dominic. To him he opened his whole
heart, telling him that he greatly desired to quit all things in order to go
about preaching Jesus Christ in a state of voluntary poverty. The holy
patriarch joyfully promised to receive him into the Order. Shortly after,
Reginald was taken dangerously ill, and the Blessed Dominic, as he himself
related to the Brethren, earnestly implored God that He would not take from him
a son as yet hardly born, but that He would at least prolong his life, if it
were but for a little while. And even whilst he yet prayed, the Blessed Virgin
Mary, accompanied by the virgin martyrs. Saint Cecilia and Saint Catharine,
appeared to Master Reginald, and, extending her virginal hand, anointed his
eyes, ears, nostrils, mouth, hands, and feet, pronouncing certain words
appropriate to each anointing. Then she showed him the habit of the Friars
Preachers, saying to him, “Behold the habit of thy Order,” and so she disappeared
from his eyes, and Reginald perceived that he was cured. He related all that
had passed to his Holy Father, prairing him, however, to keep the circumstances
secret till after his death. Saint Dominic complied with his request; and, in
announcing to his Brethren that the linen surplice of the Canons Regular was to
be exchanged for the woollen scapular, which was the particular part of the
habit which the Blessed Virgin had been seen holding in her hands, he did not
make known the reason of the change until after Reginald’s death. This
beautiful story is commemorated in the ceremony of clothing, in the words which
accompany the giving of the scapular, “Receive the holy scapular of our Order,
the most distinguished part of the Dominican habit, the maternal pledge from
heaven of the love of the Blessed Virgin Mary towards us.”
The remaining events of
Blessed Reginald’s brief but brilliant career must be summed up in a few words.
After his clothing, he departed for the Holy Land, and on his return, after founding
a Convent in Sicily, he ruled the Order as Vicar whilst Saint Dominic visited
Spain. At the same time he assumed the government of the Convent of Bologna,
where, within six months, he received more than a hundred members into the
Order, many of them men of great learning and distinction; so that it came to
be a common saying that it was scarce safe to go and hear Master Reginald if
you did not wish to take the Friars* habit. The great talents and success of
Blessed Reginald induced Saint Dominic to remove him to Paris, to the great
sorrow of his Brethren; for, notwithstanding the severity of his discipline,
they were tenderly attached to their saintly Prior and wept as though being
torn from their mother’s arms.
At Paris, his burning
eloquence drew all to hear him and vocations to the Order were as striking as
at Bologna. Being one day asked how he, who had been used to so luxurious a
life in the world, had found it possible to persevere in the penitential life
of the Order, Reginald humbly cast his eyes upon the ground and replied, “Truly
I do not think to merit anything for that before the tribunal of God. He has
given me so much consolation in my soul, that the rigours of which you speak
have become very sweet and easy to me.”
One of the most remarkable
subjects whom he drew to the Order was Blessed Jordan of Saxony, to whom God
was pleased to reveal the approaching death of Reginald in a vision, wherein he
beheld a clear and sparkling fountain suddenly spring up in the Dominican
Church of Saint James, and as suddenly fail.
The death of the holy man
took place in February, A.D. 1220, when he had worn the habit scarcely two
years. When Abbot Matthew (note: Matthew was the only one who ever bore the
title of Abbot in the Order; the Superiors of houses have always been called
Priors.), who then governed the Community at Paris, came to announce to him
that his illness was mortal and proposed to administer to him the Sacrament of
Extreme Unction, the dying man made answer, “I do not fear the assault of death,
since the blessed hands of Mary anointed me in Rome. Nevertheless, because I
would not make light of the Church’s Sacrament, I will receive it, and humbly
ask that it may be given to me.”
Blessed Reginald has ever
been held in veneration in the Order, though he was not solemnly beatified
until the pontificate of Pius IX.
Prayer
O Almighty and
everlasting God, who didst gift Thy Blessed Confessor Reginald with the
singular protection of Thy most holy Mother, grant us, by his merits and
prayers, to be strengthened by the perpetual Feb. succour of the same
ever-glorious Virgin. Who livest and reignest, world without end. Amen.
MLA
Citation
A Sister of the
Congregation of Saint Catherine of Siena. “Blessed Reginald of Orleans,
Confessor”. Short
Lives of the Dominican Saints, 1901. CatholicSaints.Info.
12 February 2026. Web. 22 May 2026.
<https://catholicsaints.info/short-lives-of-the-dominican-saints-blessed-reginald-of-orleans-confessor/>
Dominicana
– Blessed Reginald of Orleans, Confessor
Reginald was born at
Saint-Giles, in the south of France, and had taught Canon Law with applause in
the University of Paris before being raised to the dignity of Dean of the
Chapter of Orleans. Coming to Rome in company with his Bishop in the beginning
of the year 1218, with the intention of visiting the tombs of the Apostles
before going on pilgrimage to the holy places of Jerusalem, he there became
acquainted with our Holy Father, Saint Dominic. To him he opened his whole
heart, telling him that he greatly desired to quit all things in order to go
about preaching Jesus Christ in a state of voluntary poverty. The holy
patriarch joyfully promised to receive him into the Order.
Shortly after, Reginald
was taken dangerously ill, and the Blessed Dominic, as he himself related to
the Brethren, earnestly implored God that He would not take from him a son as
yet hardly born, but that He would at least prolong his life, if it were but
for a little while. And even whilst he yet prayed, the Blessed Virgin Mary,
accompanied by the virgin martyrs, Saint Cecilia and Saint Catharine, appeared
to Master Reginald, and extending her virginal hand, anointed his eyes, ears,
nostrils, mouth, hands, and feet, pronouncing certain words appropriate to each
anointing. Then she showed him the habit of the Friars Preachers, saying to
him, “Behold the habit of thy Order.” And so she disappeared from his eyes, and
Reginald perceived that he was cured. He related all that had passed to his
Holy Father, praying him, however, to keep the circumstances secret till after
his death. S. Dominic complied with his request; and, in announcing to his
Brethren that the linen surplice of the Canons Regular was to be exchanged for
the woolen scapular, which was the particular part of the habit which the
Blessed Virgin had been seen holding in her hands, he did not make known the
reason of the change until after Reginald’s death.
This beautiful story is
commemorated in the ceremony of clothing, in the words which accompany the
giving of the scapular: “Receive the holy scapular of our Order, the most
distinguished part of the Dominican habit, the maternal pledge from heaven of
the love of the Blessed Virgin Mary towards us.”
The remaining events of
Blessed Reginald’s brief but brilliant career must be summed up in a few words.
After his clothing, he departed for the Holy Land, and on his return, after founding
a Convent in Sicily, he ruled the Order as Vicar whilst Saint Dominic visited
Spain. At the same time he assumed the government of the Convent of Bologna,
where, within six months, he received more than a hundred members into the
Order, many of them men of great learning and distinction; so that it came to
be a common saying that it was scarce safe to go and hear Master Reginald if
you did not wish to take the Friars’ habit.
The great talents and
success of Blessed Reginald induced Saint Dominic to remove him to Paris, to
the great sorrow of his Brethren; for, notwithstanding the severity of his
discipline, they were tenderly attached to their saintly Prior and wept as
though being torn from their mothers’ arms.
At Paris, his burning
eloquence drew all to hear him, and vocations to the Order were as striking as
at Bologna. Being one day asked how he, who had been used to so luxurious a
life in the world, had found it possible to persevere in the penitential life
of the Order, Reginald humbly cast his eyes upon the ground and replied:
“Truly, I do not think to merit anything for that before the tribunal of God.
He has given me so much consolation in my soul, that the rigors of which you
speak have become very sweet and easy to me.”
One of the most remarkable
subjects whom he drew to the Order was Blessed Jordan of Saxony, to whom God
was pleased to reveal the approaching death of Reginald in a vision, wherein he
beheld a clear and sparkling fountain suddenly spring up in the Dominican
Church of Saint James, and as suddenly fail.
The death of the holy man
took place in February, 1220, when he had worn the habit scarcely two years.
When Abbot Mathew, who then governed the Community at Paris, came to announce
to him that his illness was mortal and proposed to administer to him the
Sacrament of Extreme Unction, the dying man made answer: “I do not fear the
assault of death, since the blessed hands of Mary anointed me in Rome.
Nevertheless, because I would not make light of the Church’s Sacrament, I will
receive it, and humbly ask that it may be given to me.” Blessed Reginald has
ever been held in veneration in the Order, though he was not solemnly beatified
until the pontificate of Pius the Ninth.
– text taken from the
magazine Dominicana, author not
listed, 1905
SOURCE : https://catholicsaints.info/dominicana-blessed-reginald-of-orleans-confessor/
The
First Disciples of Saint Dominic – Blessed Reginald of Orleans
Article
In calling the subject of
this sketch Reginald of Saint Gilles, as he himself admits, Father Touron only
follows the custom of his day, which was established by Anthony of Sienna, a
native of Guimaraens, Portugal, Anthony stated in his Chronicles that
Reginald was born at Saint Gilles, a small town in the Department of Gard,
southern France. Most later writers think this honor more probably belongs to
Orleans, and therefore give our blessed the name of Reginald of Orleans. In so
designating him, we follow these authors rather than Touron, who also says that
some are of the opinion that the early Friar Preacher first saw the light of
day at Orleans. Mortier gives the year 1183 as the date of his birth.
Few of the early members
of the Order are mentioned so often, or in terms of such high praise, as
Blessed Reginald. No doubt the historians take their cue from Blessed Jordan of
Saxony, who knew him personally. Albeit, it is certain that he was one of the
most distinguished among Saint Dominic’s first disciples. He sanctified his
great learning and rare talent by prayer and an insatiable zeal for the
salvation of his fellowman. Renowned canonist and forceful, eloquent preacher
though he was, he gloried only in being an ambassador of Christ and a harvester
of souls. Doubtless these qualities helped to bring Reginald and Dominic
together so quickly and to unite them so closely.
Our future Friar Preacher
was sent to the University of Paris in early manhood, where he not only met
with signal success in his studies, but also (in 1206) obtained the doctor’s
degree with applause. Then he taught canon law for some five years in his alma
mater, being considered one of the bright lights of the institution. The high
esteem which all showed him did not cause him to be any the less a man of God.
His great devotion to the Blessed Virgin stood him in good stead; for, we are
told, it acted as a safeguard against the snares of pride, luxury, and
ambition. He gave much time to meditation on things divine. One of his
pronounced traits was love for the poor; another was humility. Whilst kind to
others, he practised great austerity with himself. Thus we are not surprised to
learn that his progress in virtue was as rapid as that which he made in
knowledge; or that, when the post of dean for the canons at Saint Aignan’s,
Orleans, became vacant, all eyes were turned towards the model professor as the
best man for the place.
The canons elected
Reginald their dean without delay. One of the things which specially
recommended him for the position was the fact that he did not desire it. Just
when he received this promotion we do not know. But (in his Antiquities of
the Church and Diocese of Orleans – Antiquities de 1’Eglise et Diocese
d’Orleans) Francis Lemaire says that the subject of our sketch was dean of
Saint Aignan’s in 1212. Here he found himself bound to the service of God and
His altar by new bonds, which gave a fresh impulse to his zeal to walk in the
path of justice and to carry on his good works.
History tells us that the
life of our dean was most edifying. It was hidden, as the apostle expresses it,
in that of Christ our Lord. His charity towards those in need was almost
boundless. He showed himself a model in all things. Yet he felt that something
more was demanded of him. He feared the malediction which our Lord placed on
the rich, reflected on the number of those who die impenitent after lives spent
in sin, or without a knowledge of God’s justice, and trembled lest he should be
condemned for burying the talent given him. Without any suspicion of the
designs of heaven on him, the holy man longed to dispose of all he possessed
and to go about the world poor and preaching Christ crucified. This he believed
was his vocation; and he doubled his prayers and penances that he might learn
the divine will.
At this juncture,
providence came to Reginald’s assistance. The Right Rev. Manasses de Seignelay,
bishop of Orleans, determined to visit Rome and the Holy Land. As the prelate
was a close friend of the young dean, and enjoyed his enlightened conversation,
he requested Reginald to accompany him on this journey. The subject of our
sketch readily accepted the invitation, for it would give him an opportunity of
satisfying his devotion at the places rendered sacred by the tread of our Lord
and the blood of His martyrs.
The two travellers
arrived in the Eternal City shortly before Easter, or in April, 1218. In a
conversation with Cardinal Ugolino di Segni Reginald spoke of his ardent desire
to imitate the apostles, and to go from place to place as a poor ambassador of
Christ preaching the Gospel. As yet, however, he did not know how he was to put
his wish into execution. His eminence (later Gregory IX) then proceeded to tell
the pious dean that the way was already open to him; that a new religious order
had just been instituted for that very purpose; and that its founder, who was
renowned for his miracles, was actually in Rome, where he preached every day
with marvellous effect. Filled with joy at the prospect of realizing his design
in the near future, our blessed made haste to meet the harvester of souls, of
whom he had been told. Charmed with Dominic’s personality and sermons, he
determined to become one of his disciples without delay.
Indeed, the attraction
between the two holy men was mutual. Meantime, however, Reginald became so ill
that the physicians despaired of his life. In this extremity Dominic had
recourse to his usual remedy – prayer; and in a few days his new friend was
again in perfect health. In their piety both attributed the miraculous cure to
the intercession of the Mother of God. Jordan of Saxony assures us that the
Blessed Virgin appeared to Reginald in his sickness, told him to enter the new
Order, and showed him the distinctive habit which the Friars Preacher should
wear. Until this time they had dressed like the Canons Regular of Osma, of whom
Dominic bad been a member. Practically all the historians tell us that, in
consequence of Reginald’s vision, the saint now adopted the garb which his
followers have worn ever since, and that the former dean of Saint Aignan’s was
the first to receive it from his hands.
Reginald was clothed in
the religious habit immediately after the recovery of his health. At the same
time, or very shortly afterwards, he made his profession to Dominic. However, this
new allegiance did not prevent his journey to the Holy Land; for the saint
permitted him to continue his way with Bishop de Seignelay. On his return to
Italy from Jerusalem, perhaps in the middle fall of 1218, Dominic, who was
still at Rome, sent the former dean to Bologna, which he reached in December.
The high opinion which the patriarch had conceived of Reginald is shown by the
fact that he appointed him his vicar (some say prior) over the incipient
convent in that university city.
More than one thing
evidently contributed to this immediate promotion to leadership. The house in
Bologna had been started in the spring of the same year. While the first
fathers stationed there were very cordially received, and were given Santa
Maria della. Mascarella for a convent by Bishop Henry di Fratta, they found it
hard to make the rapid headway which both they and Dominic evidently desired to
see in the noted educational center. Reginald’s reputation, ability, eloquence,
and experience at the University of Paris, it was felt, would combine with his
rare virtue to bring about this desideratum. Nor were these expectations
disappointed.
Hardly, indeed, had the
former dean of Saint Aignan’s arrived at his destination, before the entire
city were flocking to hear him preach. The effect of his sermons was
marvellous. Hardened sinners gave up their evil ways; inveterate enemies buried
their differences of long standing; the religion and moral tone of the people
changed notably for the better. None seemed able to resist the attraction of
the orator’s personality, or the persuasion of his burning eloquence. All felt
that a new Elias had come among them. He held the place, as it were, in the
palm of his hand. No one could doubt but that he had found his vocation.
Reginald drew the clergy
as well as the laity; those of the university, whether professors or students,
as well as the citizens. His example quickened the zeal of his confrères, for
he preached every day-sometimes twice or even thrice. Vocations to the Order
were so frequent that, within a few weeks, Santa Maria della Mascarella was
overcrowded. They came from every walk in life. The university contributed a
large number of both students and masters, some of whom were among the
brightest lights of the institution with worldwide fame. Sketches of several of
these are given earlier in our pages.
Bishop di Fratta and the
papal legate, Cardinal Ugolino di Segni, were so pleased with the good effected
by Reginald and his Friars Preacher that they gave him the Church of Saint
Nicholas of the Vines, in order to enable him to receive more subjects. This
was in the spring of 1219. Here a much larger convent was built at once.
Rudolph of Faenza, the zealous pastor of Saint Nicholas’, not content with
surrendering his church to the Order, also received the habit from our blessed
that he might join in the harvest of souls. He helped to erect the Convent of
Saint Nicholas, now known as Saint Dominic’s, to which the community was
transferred as soon as ready for occupation.
In his government of the
large Bolognese community Blessed Reginald combined great charity and
gentleness with a wise strictness. He did not suffer even slight transgressions
to go uncorrected. Yet he was so skillful in his management of men and in his
administration of punishment that his confrères, for they knew he ever acted
for their good, held him in even greater affection than those not of the Order.
All regarded him as a true man of God seeking to lead them to heaven. His every
word, his very silence, bespoke virtue. With profound humility and a rare
spirit of recollection he joined an extreme personal austerity.
The days the holy man
spent in preaching to the people and spiritual conferences to his religious.
The nights he gave largely to prayer. God blessed his efforts. Scarcely nine
months had he been superior. Within that brief time Saint Nicholas’ had become
not merely a large community; it was a famed sanctuary of prayer, the zeal of
whose members recalled that of the apostles. Far and wide they bore the message
of salvation with wonderful effect.
Such was the status, in
point of size, discipline, and labors, in which Saint Dominic found the
Bolognese institution on his arrival in the city, after his return from Spain,
via Prouille, Toulouse, and Paris. This was late in the summer of 1219. The
patriarch’s heart rejoiced at the sight of what had been accomplished. At
Paris, owing to a strong opposition, the crooked paths had not yet been
straightened, nor the rough ways made smooth. If, thought Dominic, Reginald had
done so well in Bologna, why would he not be invaluable to Matthew of France in
ironing out the difficulties at Paris. Besides, the saint had determined to
make the Italian city the center of his own spiritual activities. So off to the
French capital the subject of this sketch now went. His departure was keenly
regretted by the community which he had governed so happily. But the voice of
God spoke through the Order’s founder, and all bowed in humble submission. To
Reginald’s brief sojourn in those far-flung days is due, in no small measure,
the bond of regard that has ever since existed between the citizens of Bologna
and the Friars Preacher.
Our blessed’s arrival in
Paris was a source of great joy to his confrères there – especially to the
superior, Matthew of France. The newcomer bad been one of the university’s most
beloved professors, and had had the only Friar-Preacher abbot as a pupil. Much
was expected of his virtue, personality, and eloquence. Unfortunately, these
hopes were realized only in part. As he had done in Bologna, so in Paris he
began to preach incessantly. Together with this apostolate, he taught at the
Convent of Saint James, whilst he relaxed not in the least his penances, or his
nightly vigils.
Zeal for the salvation of
souls, all the writers assure us, simply consumed the holy man. Enormous
numbers flocked to his sermons. Vocations to the Order increased. Many came
from among the students at the university. But such labors and mortification
were too much for his strength. His health began to fail, and kindly Matthew of
France ventured to warn him that he should be more moderate. Yet, as no
positive order was given, the relaxation was not sufficient. Possibly Matthew
afterwards intervened more sternly. However, it was too late. The fire of life
had burned out, and Reginald surrendered his pure soul to God in the first days
of February, 1220. In his death the Friars Preacher nearly everywhere mourned
the loss of one whom they considered, next to its founder, the strongest
support of their new Order.
Had he lived, Reginald
would most likely have succeeded Saint Dominic as Master General. In the
language of Jordan of Saxony, our blessed lived a long life in the span of a
few years. He spent less than two years in the Order; yet he left a memory that
still seems fresh after a lapse of more than seven centuries. One of the things
which continued to be denied the fathers by the ecclesiastical circles of
Paris, at the time of his death, was the right of burial for the community in
their Church of Saint James. Accordingly, his remains were laid to rest in that
of Our Lady of the Fields (Notre Dame des Champs). The faithful soon began to
visit and pray at his grave. Several miracles were reported. When, between 1605
and 1608, his body was taken up to be placed in a shrine, it was found to be
incorrupt. This served to increase the devotion towards the man of God.
A few years later (1614),
Our Lady of the Fields became the property of the Carmelite Sisters. Thus the
tomb of Saint Dominic’s early disciple, because in their cloistered church,
ceased to be visited by the people at large, who had been accustomed to seek
his intercession for nearly four hundred years. The holy sisters, however, held
him in the deepest veneration, and poured out their hearts in prayer before his
sacred remains. In 1645, they had Father John Francis Senault, general of the
Oratorians, write his life. His relies remained in this secluded place, ever an
object of devotion for Christ’s cloistered spouses, until they were desecrated
and destroyed by the villains of the terrible French Revolution.
Fortunately, as is proved
in the process of his beatification, devotion to Reginald had become too deeply
rooted to be annihilated by even such a catastrophe. This was particularly the
case in the Order of Preachers, whose members had ever cherished an undying
affection and veneration for him. In 1875, Pius IX, after a thorough
examination of the matter by the Sacred Congregation of Rites, approved his
cult, and granted the divine office and mass of Reginald to the Friars Preacher
and the dioceses of Paris and Orleans. February 12 was set aside as his feast,
but in late years it has been transferred to the seventeenth day of the same
month.
MLA
Citation
Father Victor Francis
O’Daniel, O.P. “Blessed Reginald of Orleans”. The
First Disciples of Saint Dominic, 1928. CatholicSaints.Info.
28 October 2021. Web. 22 May 2026.
<https://catholicsaints.info/the-first-disciples-of-saint-dominic-blessed-reginald-of-orleans/>
SOURCE : https://catholicsaints.info/the-first-disciples-of-saint-dominic-blessed-reginald-of-orleans/
Blessed Reginald of Orleans
We observed the Memorial of Blessed Reginald of Orleans yesterday according to
the Dominican calendar. Blessed Reginald had an inspirational zeal for the
salvation of souls and was given to teaching and preaching in a very convincing
manner. He is associated with a
well known miracle that is recorded by his friend and later Master of
the Order, Blessed Jordan of Saxony:
While Master Dominic was
in Rome in 1218, Master Reginald, then dean of St. Aignan in Orleans, arrived
there, intending to go overseas. He was very highly thought of, a most learned
man and a prominent public figure. He had taught canon law in Paris for five
years.
On his arrival in Rome, he fell seriously ill, and Master Dominic went to vist
him several times, urging him to follow the poverty of Christ and to join his
Order. He prevailed upon him to agree, fully and freely, to enter the Order, so
much so that he bound himself to it by vow.
So he was rescued from the serious, well-nigh desperate peril of his illness,
not without a miracle of divine power. While he was feverish, with a high
temperature, the queen of heaven and mother of mercy, the Virgin Mary, came to
him visibly and anointed his eyes, ears, nose, mouth, navel, hands, and feet
with a healing balm which she had brought wth her, saying as she did so things
like, “I anoint your feet with holy oil to make them ready to spread the gospel
of peace.” She also showed him the complete habit of the Order.
He was cured immediately, and his whole body was restored to perfect health. It
happened so suddenly that the doctors, who had more or less given up hope of
his recovery, were astonished to see him looking so well. This remarkable
miracle was made known afterwards by Master Dominic to many people who are
still with us today. I was present myself on one occasion when he told the
story publicly during a conference he was giving in Paris.
His health restored, Master Reginald fulfilled his desire to go overseas,
although he was already bound to the Order by profession. On his return, he
went to Bologna, which he reached on December 21, and at once he threw himself
utterly into preaching. His fervent eloquence fired the hearts of all who heard
it as if it had been a blazing torch; hardly anyone was rock-like enough to be
proof against its heat. The whole of Bologna was in ferment; a new Elijah
seemed to have arisen among them.
During this period he received many people into the Order in Bologna, and the
number of the disciples began to grow, as more and more were added to them.
Brother Reginald, of holy memory, came to Paris and preached Christ Jesus and
him crucified. But God soon took him from the earth. Finishing his course in a
short time, he had accomplished a full life’s work.
Brother Matthew, who had known him when he was living in honor and luxury in
the world, several times asked him, in some amazement, “Do you ever fell
depressed, Master, that you put on the habit?” With his eyes lowered, he
replied, “I very much doubt if there is any merit in it for me, because I have
always found so much pleasure in the Order.”
Posted by Mr. Alan
Phipps, O.P. at 2/13/2010
SOURCE : https://alanphipps.blogspot.com/2010/02/blessed-reginald-of-orleans.html
February 17: Blessed
Reginald, C., O.P., Commemoration
Today, in the 1962
Dominican Rite Calendar, we commemorate the feast of Blessed Reginald,
confessor of the Order of Preachers. The ferial office of Septuagesmia is prayed (Psalm scheme
II, preces, proper antiphon at Bened. and Magnif.), and the commemoration is
made at Lauds and Vespers with the propers given in the Proper of the Saints.
Yesterday, at the
Martyrology, we read:
At Paris, Blessed
Reginald, confessor. He was dean of the Church of St. Aignan in Orleans. While
at Rome, he received from the hands of our holy Father Dominic, the Dominican
habit which the glorious Virgin Mary had shown him a short time before when he
was dangerously ill.
From
“Short Lives of the Dominican Saints” (London, Kegan Paul, Trench, and Trübner
& Co., Ltd., 1901):
Reginald was born at
Saint-Gilles in the south of France and had taught Canon Law with applause in
the University of Paris before being raised to the dignity of Dean of the
Chapter of Orleans. Coming to Rome in company with his Bishop in the beginning
of the year 1218, with the intention of visiting the tombs of the Apostles
before going on pilgrimage to the holy places of Jerusalem, he there became
acquainted with our Holy Father, Saint Dominic. To him he opened his whole
heart, telling him that he greatly desired to quit all things in order to go
about preaching Jesus Christ in a state of voluntary poverty. The
holy patriarch joyfully promised to receive him into the Order. Shortly after,
Reginald was taken dangerously ill, and the Blessed Dominic, as he himself
related to the Brethren, earnestly implored God that He would not take from him
a son as yet hardly born, but that He would at least prolong his life, if it
were but for a little while. And even whilst he yet prayed, the Blessed Virgin
Mary, accompanied by the virgin martyrs, Saint Cecilia and Saint Catharine,
appeared to Master Reginald, and, extending her virginal hand, anointed his
eyes, ears, nostrils, mouth, hands, and feet, pronouncing certain words
appropriate to each anointing. Then she showed him the habit of the Friars
Preachers, saying to him, "Behold the habit of thy Order," and so she
disappeared from his eyes, and Reginald perceived that he was cured. He related
all that had passed to his Holy Father, praying him, however, to keep the
circumstances secret till after his death. Saint Dominic complied with his
request; and, in announcing to his Brethren that the linen surplice of the
Canons Regular was to be exchanged for the woollen scapular, which was the
particular part of the habit which the Blessed Virgin had been seen holding in
her hands, he did not make known the reason of the change until after
Reginald's death. This beautiful story is commemorated in the ceremony of
clothing, in the words which accompany the giving of the scapular,
"Receive the holy scapular of our Order, the most distinguished part of
the Dominican habit, the maternal pledge from heaven of the love of the Blessed
Virgin Mary towards us."
The remaining events of
Blessed Reginald's brief but brilliant career must be summed up in a few words.
After his clothing, he departed for the Holy Land, and on his return, after
founding a Convent in Sicily, he ruled the Order as Vicar whilst Saint Dominic
visited Spain. At the same time he assumed the government of the Convent of
Bologna, where, within six months, he received more than a hundred members into
the Order, many of them men of great learning and distinction; so that it came
to be a common saying that it was scarce safe to go and hear Master Reginald if
you did not wish to take the Friars' habit. The great talents and success of
Blessed Reginald induced Saint Dominic to remove him to Paris, to the great
sorrow of his Brethren; for, notwithstanding the severity of his discipline,
they were tenderly attached to their saintly Prior and wept as though being
torn from their mother's arms.
At Paris, his burning
eloquence drew all to hear him and vocations to the Order were as striking as
at Bologna. Being one day asked how he, who had been used to so luxurious a
life in the world, had found it possible to persevere in the penitential life
of the Order, Reginald humbly cast his eyes upon the ground and replied,
"Truly I do not think to merit anything for that before the tribunal of
God. He has given me so much consolation in my soul, that the rigors of which
you speak have become very sweet and easy to me."
One of the most
remarkable subjects whom he drew to the Order was Blessed Jordan of Saxony, to
whom God was pleased to reveal the approaching death of Reginald in a vision,
wherein he beheld a clear and sparkling fountain suddenly spring up in the
Dominican Church of Saint James, and as suddenly fail.
The death of the holy man
took place in February, A.D. 1 220, when he had worn the habit scarcely two
years. When Abbot Matthew (Matthew was the only one who ever bore the title of
Abbot in the Order; the Superiors of houses have always been called Priors),
who then governed the Community at Paris, came to announce to him that his
illness was mortal and proposed to administer to him the Sacrament of Extreme
Unction, the dying man made answer, "I do not fear the assault of death,
since the blessed hands of Mary anointed me in Rome. Nevertheless,
because I would not make light of the Church's Sacrament, I will receive it,
and humbly ask that it may be given to me."
Blessed Reginald has ever
been held in veneration in the Order, though he was not solemnly beatified
until the pontificate of Pius IX.
Prayer
O God, you gave your
blessed confessor Reginald into the special protection of your most holy
Mother; grant, by his merits and prayers, that we may always be protected by
the help of that same glorious Mary, ever virgin. For you live and
reign...
SOURCE : https://breviariumsop.blogspot.com/2017/02/february-17-blessed-reginald-c-op.html
Blessed Reginald of
Orleans: A Second Elijiah!
Feb 11
Perhaps it is the joy Bl.
Reginald felt in putting on the habit of the Order of Preachers that makes us
love him so much nearly 800 years after his death. Or perhaps, everyone likes
to receive new clothes and in Reginald receiving the habit from Our Lady we
rejoice knowing that we too are "clothed in the garments of
salvation".
Whatever the reason, Bl.
Reginald, whose feast we celebrate today, remains one of the most beloved of
the early saints of the Order. His life captures our imagination and
exemplifies the fervor of those first days of the Order.
Reginald was born in 1183
in Orleans, France. He studied canon law at the University of Paris. He was
brilliant but he was also holy and was made Dean of the Cathedral Chapter at
Orleans. He also had a great love for Our Lady.
A trip to the Holy Land
became the occasion to stop in Rome. Here he was introduced to St. Dominic and
St. Dominic knew that in Reginald he had found someone not after his own
heart but after the heart of Christ.
Reginald on his part was
taken by St. Dominic and found in him and his newly-founded Order of Preachers
everything his zealous heart desired!
Shortly after, Reginald
became deathly ill. We are told that as he lay dying, Reginald was visited by
our Lady who was also accompanied by St.Catherine of Alexandria and St.
Cecilia. Later, he told the brethren that the Mother of Mercy anointed his body
saying, “I anoint your feet with holy oil to make them ready to spread the
gospel of peace." She then gave him the habit of the Order. Exactly what
this means is debated by historians but the tradition is that he was given the
scapular which to this day is the only part of the habit that is blessed and
has always been considered the habit. We do know that about this time
St. Dominic and the brethren stopped wearing the surplice which was worn by the
Canons and instead wore the scapular.
Bl Jordan (who's feast
we'll celebrate the next day, February 13th) tells us in his account:
His health restored,
Master Reginald fulfilled his desire to go overseas, although he was already
bound to the Order by profession. On his return, he went to Bologna, which he
reached on December 21, and at once he threw himself utterly into preaching.
His fervent eloquence fired the hearts of all who heard it as if it had been a
blazing torch; hardly anyone was rock-like enough to be proof against its heat.
The whole of Bologna was in ferment; a new Elijah seemed to have arisen among
them.
During this period he received many people into the Order in Bologna, and the
number of the disciples began to grow, as more and more were added to them.
Brother Reginald, of holy memory, came to Paris and preached Christ Jesus and
him crucified. But God soon took him from the earth. Finishing his course in a
short time, he had accomplished a full life’s work.
Brother Matthew, who had known him when he was living in honor and luxury in
the world, several times asked him, in some amazement, “Do you ever fell
depressed, Master, that you put on the habit?” With his eyes lowered, he
replied, “I very much doubt if there is any merit in it for me, because I have
always found so much pleasure in the Order.”
Fr. Victor O' Daniel, OP,
in his "First Disciples of St. Dominic" writes:
Zeal for the salvation of
souls, all the writers assure us, simply consumed the holy man. Enormous
numbers flocked to his sermons. Vocations to the Order increased. Many came
from among the students at the university. But such labors and mortification
were too much for his strength. His health began to fail, and kindly Matthew of
France ventured to warn him that he should be more moderate. Yet, as no
positive order was given, the relaxation was not sufficient.
Possibly Matthew
afterwards intervened more sternly. However, it was too late. The fire of life
had burned out, and Reginald surrendered his pure soul to God in the first days
of February, 1220. In his death the Friars Preacher nearly everywhere mourned
the loss of one whom they considered, next to its founder, the strongest
support of their new Order.
SOURCE : https://www.summitdominicans.org/blog/2011/02/blessed-reginald-of-orleans-a-second-elijiah
Bl Reginald of Orleans OP
Feast Day: 12th February
The early years of every
religious Order or movement are always characterised by great saints who light
up the Church with the zeal and excitement of their discovery of a new way of
following Christ. Blessed Reginald is one of the great early Dominicans who
were acquainted with Dominic himself, and seemed to be given a share of the
Founder’s spirit.
Blessed Reginald’s life
story can be divided into two parts: one before he met St Dominic, and the
other after he had met the Founder. He was born in Orleans, France in 1180, and
having been ordained a priest he had become a doctor of Canon Law and a
well-known figure in the Church in Paris. Many must have looked at him and
thought that he had everything he wanted. But in reality he was feeling
dissatisfied with his life: as was commonplace in the Church in those times he
had a very comfortable and well-off lifestyle, yet he knew that his calling
from Jesus Christ was to something greater than mere comfort and prestige. And
so he was in a dilemma.
In the year 1218 Reginald
was in Rome, when he fell seriously ill. As it happened Dominic was also in
Rome, and a mutual acquaintance must have told him about the condition of
Reginald, so that he went to visit him. The biographers tell us that there was
straight away a perfect understanding between the two men: Reginald saw that
the new Dominican friars were living out the sort of ideal he had been turning
away from, and there and then he made religious profession into the Order of Preachers.
And there was a great sign given to mark this moment of decision: as Reginald
lay sick, his life in danger, he was favoured with a vision of the Blessed
Virgin Mary who anointed him with oil and held out to him the Dominican habit.
Blessed Reginald found himself completely cured and began with great energy to
live the Dominican life.
It was quickly apparent
to everyone that he was a changed man. In the city of Bologna where he was
assigned he became known to the whole city as a great preacher of the Gospel,
as he preached with overflowing faith and conviction. An early biographer wrote
that his preaching ‘like a burning torch, inflamed the hearts of all his
hearers. Very few people were so stony-hearted that they could resist the
effects of this fire’. And if it is a mark of a true apostle that he will
gather followers to his side, then Reginald more than passed the test: he
attracted a great number in Bologna to join him in the Order of Preachers. Many
of them were like him, educated university men, and like him they saw the
Gospel way of life they had been looking for.
Blessed Reginald was not
to enjoy a long life as a Dominican. Early in 1220 he again became ill, and
this time he passed away. But his place in the history of the Dominican family
was assured by the memories of those who had known him in Bologna and had seen
a saintly apostle on fire with the love of God and of souls. His meeting with
St Dominic gave the final meaning to his life; his life serves as a reminder to
all Dominicans of their beautiful calling to preach the Gospel of Jesus in word
and in deed.
SOURCE : https://dominicans.ie/blessed-reginald-of-orleans-op/
Blessed Reginald, C.O.P
Memorial day: February
17th
Profile
In calling the subject of
this sketch Reginald of Saint Gilles, as he himself admits, Father Touron only
follows the custom of his day, which was established by Anthony of Sienna, a
native of Guimaraens, Portugal, Anthony stated in his Chronicles that
Reginald was born at Saint Gilles, a small town in the Department of Gard,
southern France. Most later writers think this honor more probably belongs to
Orleans, and there fore give our blessed the name of Reginald of Orleans. In so
designating him, we follow these authors rather than Touron, who also says that
some are of the opinion that the early Friar Preacher first saw the light of
day at Orleans. Mortier (I, 96) gives the year 1183 as the date of his birth.(1)
Few of the early members
of the Order are mentioned so often, or in terms of such high praise, as
Blessed Reginald. No doubt the historians take their cue from Blessed Jordan of
Saxony, who knew him personally. Albeit, it is certain that he was one of the
most distinguished among Saint Dominic's first disciples. He sanctified his
great learning and rare talent by prayer and an insatiable zeal for the
salvation of his fellowman. Renowned canonist and forceful, eloquent preacher
though he was, he gloried only in being an ambassador of Christ and a harvester
of souls. Doubtless these qualities helped to bring Reginald and Dominic
together so quickly and to unite them so closely.
Our future Friar Preacher
was sent to the University of Paris in early manhood, where he not only met
with signal success in his studies, but also (in 1206) obtained the doctor's
degree with applause.(2) Then
he taught canon law for some five years in his alma mater, being considered one
of the bright lights of the institution. The high esteem which all showed him
did not cause him to be any the less a man of God. His great devotion to the
Blessed Virgin stood him in good stead; for, we are told, it acted as a
safeguard against the snares of pride, luxury, and ambition. He gave much time
to meditation on things divine. One of his pronounced traits was love for the
poor; another was humility. Whilst kind to others, he practised great austerity
with himself. Thus we are not surprised to learn that his progress in virtue
was as rapid as that which he made in knowledge; or that, when the post of dean
for the canons at Saint Aignan's, Orleans, became vacant, all eyes were turned
towards the model professor as the best man for the place.
The canons elected
Reginald their dean without delay. One of the things which specially
recommended him for the position was the fact that he did not desire it. Just
when he received this promotion we do not know. But (on page 82 of his Antiquities
of the Church and Diocese of Orleans -- Antiquities de 1'Eglise et Diocese
d'Orleans) Francis Lemaire says that the subject of our sketch was dean of
Saint Aignan's in 1212. Here he found himself bound to the service of God and
His altar by new bonds, which gave a fresh impulse to his zeal to walk in the
path of justice and to carry on his good works.
History tells us that the
life of our dean was most edifying. It was hidden, as the apostle expresses it,
in that of Christ our Lord. His charity towards those in need was almost
boundless. He showed himself a model in all things. Yet he felt that something
more was demanded of him. He feared the malediction which our Lord placed on
the rich, reflected on the number of those who die impenitent after lives spent
in sin, or without a knowledge of God's justice, and trembled lest he should be
condemned for burying the talent given him. Without any suspicion of the
designs of heaven on him, the holy man longed to dispose of all he possessed
and to go about the world poor and preaching Christ crucified. This he believed
was his vocation; and he doubled his prayers and penances that he might learn
the divine will.
At this juncture,
providence came to Reginald's assistance. The Right Rev. Manasses de Seignelay,
bishop of Orleans, determined to visit Rome and the Holy Land. As the prelate
was a close friend of the young dean, and enjoyed his enlightened conversation,
he requested Reginald to accompany him on this journey. The subject of our
sketch readily accepted the invitation, for it would give him an opportunity of
satisfying his devotion at the places rendered sacred by the tread of our Lord
and the blood of His martyrs.
The two travelers arrived
in the Eternal City shortly before Easter, or in April, 1218. In a conversation
with Cardinal Ugolino di Segni Reginald spoke of his ardent desire to imitate
the apostles, and to go from place to place as a poor ambassador of Christ
preaching the Gospel. As yet, however, he did not know how he was to put his
wish into execution. His eminence (later Gregory IX) then proceeded to tell the
pious dean that the way was already open to him; that a new religious order had
just been instituted for that very purpose; and that its founder, who was
renowned for his miracles, was actually in Rome, where he preached every day
with marvelous effect. Filled with joy at the prospect of realizing his design
in the near future, our blessed made haste to meet the harvester of souls, of
whom he had been told. Charmed with Dominic's personality and sermons, he
determined to become one of his disciples without delay.(3)
Indeed, the attraction
between the two holy men was mutual. Meantime, however, Reginald became so ill
that the physicians despaired of his life. In this extremity Dominic had
recourse to his usual remedyprayer; and in a few days his new friend was again
in perfect health. In their piety both attributed the miraculous cure to the
intercession of the Mother of God. Jordan of Saxony assures us that the Blessed
Virgin appeared to Reginald in his sickness, told him to enter the new Order,
and showed him the distinctive habit which the Friars Preacher should wear.
Until this time they had dressed like the Canons Regular of Osma, of whom
Dominic bad been a member. Practically all the historians tell us that, in
consequence of Reginald's vision, the saint now adopted the garb which his
followers have worn ever since, and that the former dean of Saint Aignan's was
the first to receive it from his hands.
Reginald was clothed in
the religious habit immediately after the recovery of his health. At the same
time, or very shortly afterwards, he made his profession to Dominic. However,
this new allegiance did not prevent his journey to the Holy Land; for the saint
permitted him to continue his way with Bishop de Seignelay. On his return to
Italy from Jerusalem, perhaps in the middle fall of 1218, Dominic, who was
still at Rome, sent the former dean to Bologna, which he reached in December.
The high opinion which the patriarch had conceived of Reginald is shown by the
fact that he appointed him his vicar (some say prior) over the incipient
convent in that university city.(4)
More than one thing
evidently contributed to this immediate promotion to leadership. The house in
Bologna had been started in the spring of the same year. While the first
fathers stationed there were very cordially received, and were given Santa
Maria della. Mascarella for a convent by Bishop Henry di Fratta, they found it
hard to make the rapid headway which both they and Dominic evidently desired to
see in the noted educational center. Reginald's reputation, ability, eloquence,
and experience at the University of Paris, it was felt, would combine with his
rare virtue to bring about this desideratum. Nor were these expectations
disappointed.
Hardly, indeed, had the
former dean of Saint Aignan's arrived at his destination, before the entire
city were flocking to hear him preach. The effect of his sermons was marvellous.
Hardened sinners gave up their evil ways; inveterate enemies buried their
differences of long standing; the religion and moral tone of the people changed
notably for the better. None seemed able to resist the attraction of the
orator's personality, or the persuasion of his burning eloquence. All felt that
a new Elias had come among them. He held the place, as it were, in the palm of
his hand. No one could doubt but that he had found his vocation.(5)
Reginald drew the clergy
as well as the laity; those of the university, whether professors or students,
as well as the citizens. His example quickened the zeal of his confrères, for
he preached every day-sometimes twice or even thrice. Vocations to the Order
were so frequent that, within a few weeks, Santa Maria della Mascarella was
overcrowded. They came from every walk in life. The university contributed a
large number of both students and masters, some of whom were among the
brightest lights of the institution with worldwide fame.(6) Sketches
of several of these are given earlier in our pages.
Bishop di Fratta and the
papal legate, Cardinal Ugolino di Segni, were so pleased with the good effected
by Reginald and his Friars Preacher that they gave him the Church of Saint
Nicholas of the Vines, in order to enable him to receive more subjects. This
was in the spring of 1219. Here a much larger convent was built at once.
Rudolph of Faenza, the zealous pastor of Saint Nicholas', not content with
surrendering his church to the Order, also received the babit from our blessed
that he might join in the harvest of souls. He helped to erect the Convent of
Saint Nicholas, now known as Saint Dominic's, to which the community was
transferred as soon as ready for occupation.(7)
In his government of the
large Bolognese community Blessed Reginald combined great charity and
gentleness with a wise strictness. He did not suffer even slight transgressions
to go uncorrected. Yet he was so skillful in his management of men and in his
administration of punishment that his confrères, for they knew he ever acted
for their good, held him in even greater affection than those not of the Order.
All regarded him as a true man of God seeking to lead them to heaven. His every
word, his very silence, bespoke virtue. With profound humility and a rare
spirit of recollection he joined an extreme personal austerity.
The days the holy man
spent in preaching to the people and spiritual conferences to his religious.
The nights he gave largely to prayer. God blessed his efforts. Scarcely nine
months had he been superior. Within that brief time Saint Nicholas' had become
not merely a large community; it was a famed sanctuary of prayer, the zeal of
whose members recalled that of the apostles. Far and wide they bore the message
of salvation with wonderful effect.
Such was the status, in
point of size, discipline, and labors, in which Saint Dominic found the
Bolognese institution on his arrival in the city, after his return from Spain,
via Prouille, Toulouse, and Paris. This was late in the summer of 1219. The
patriarch's heart rejoiced at the sight of what had been accomplished. At
Paris, owing to a strong opposition, the crooked paths had not yet been
straightened, nor the rough ways made smooth. If, thought Dominic, Reginald had
done so well in Bologna, why would he not be invaluable to Matthew of France in
ironing out the difficulties at Paris. Besides, the saint had determined to
make the Italian city the center of his own spiritual activities. So off to the
French capital the subject of this sketch now went. His departure was keenly
regretted by the community which he had governed so happily. But the voice of
God spoke through the Order's founder, and all bowed in humble submission. To
Reginald's brief sojourn in those far-flung days is due, in no small measure,
the bond of regard that has ever since existed between the citizens of Bologna
and the Friars Preacher.
Our blessed's arrival in
Paris was a source of great joy to his confrères there -- especially to the
superior, Matthew of France. The newcomer bad been one of the university's most
beloved professors, and had had the only Friar-Preacher abbot as a pupil. Much
was expected of his virtue, personality, and eloquence. Unfortunately, these
hopes were realized only in part. As he had done in Bologna, so in Paris he
began to preach incessantly. Together with this apostolate, he taught at the
Convent of Saint James, whilst he relaxed not in the least his penances, or his
nightly vigils.
Zeal for the salvation of
souls, all the writers assure us, simply consumed the holy man. Enormous
numbers flocked to his sermons. Vocations to the Order increased. Many came
from among the students at the university. But such labors and mortification
were too much for his strength. His health began to fail, and kindly Matthew of
France ventured to warn him that he should be more moderate. Yet, as no
positive order was given, the relaxation was not sufficient.(8) Possibly
Matthew afterwards intervened more sternly. However, it was too late. The fire
of life had burned out, and Reginald surrendered his pure soul to God in the
first days of February, 1220. In his death the Friars Preacher nearly
everywhere mourned the loss of one whom they considered, next to its founder,
the strongest support of their new Order.
Had he lived, Reginald
would most likely have succeeded Saint Dominic as Master General. In the
language of Jordan of Saxony, our blessed lived a long life in the span of a
few years. He spent less than two years in the Order; yet he left a memory that
still seems fresh after a lapse of more than seven centuries. One of the things
which continued to be denied the fathers by the ecclesiastical circles of
Paris, at the time of his death, was the right of burial for the community in
their Church of Saint James. Accordingly, his remains were laid to rest in that
of Our Lady of the Fields (Notre Dame des Champs). The faithful soon began to
visit and pray at his grave. Several miracles were reported. When, between 1605
and 1608, his body was taken up to be placed in a shrine, it was found to be
incorrupt. This served to increase the devotion towards the man of God.
A few years later (1614), Our
Lady of the Fields became the property of the Carmelite Sisters. Thus the tomb
of Saint Dominic's early disciple, because in their cloistered church, ceased
to be visited by the people at large, who had been accustomed to seek his
intercession for nearly four hundred years. The holy sisters, however, held him
in the deepest veneration, and poured out their hearts in prayer before his
sacred remains. In 1645, they had Father John Francis Senault, general of the
Oratorians, write his life. His relies remained in this secluded place, ever an
object of devotion for Christ's cloistered spouses, until they were desecrated
and destroyed by the villains of the terrible French Revolution.
Fortunately, as is proved
in the process of his beatification, devotion to Reginald had become too deeply
rooted to be annihilated by even such a catastrophe. This was particularly the
case in the Order of Preachers, whose members had ever cherished an undying
affection and veneration for him. In 1875, Pius IX, after a thorough
examination of the matter by the Sacred Congregation of Rites, approved his
cult, and granted the divine office and mass of Reginald to the Friars Preacher
and the dioceses of Paris and Orleans.(9) February
12 was set aside as his feast, but in late years it has been transferred to the
seventeenth day of the same month.
NOTES
1.ALBERTI, fol. 180
ff; Année Dominicaine, II (February), 339 ff; ANTHONY of Sienna, O.
P., Chronicon Fratrum Ordinis Praedicatorum, p. 43; BALME-LELAIDIER, II,
188 ff, 257 ff, 347 ff, and III, 9 ff; BZOVIUS (Bzowski) XIII, 261, 270, 304 ff
; CASTILLO, pp. 63-65, 71-72, 99-100; CHAPOTIN, op. cit., pp. 11 ff ;
FLEURY, op. cit., XVI, 465-472; FRACHET, de, Vitae Fratrum (Reichert
ed.), passim; HUMBERT of Romans, Vita Sancti Dominici; JORDAN of
Saxony (Berthier ed.), pp. 18-22; MALVENDA, pp. 211 ff, 240 ff, and passim often;
MAMACHI, pp. 427 ff, 465 ff, 507 ff, 617 ff; MARCHESE, II, 34 ff; MORTIER, I,
96-101, 105-109, and passim; PIO, col. 20 ff ; QUETIF-ECHARD, I, 71-72,
89-90; THEODERIC of Apolda, Vita Beatissimi Dominici. The life of Saint
Dominic by Theoderic of Apolda is given in Acta Sanctorum, XXXV (first
vol. for August), 562 ff. That by Jordan of Saxony is given ibidem, 542
ff; and that by Humbert of Romans in MAMACHI, col. 264 ff. (Ed. note).
2. MORTIER, I, 96.
3. THEODERIC of Apolda,
in Acta Sanctorum, XXXV, 578, No. 103.
4. JORDAN of Saxony (Berthier
ed.), pp. 18-19; THEODERIC of Apolda, in Acta Sanctorum, XXXV, 578, Nos.
104-107, 581, No, 121; HUMBERT of Romans, in Mamachi, col. 279.
5. SIGONIO,
Charles, Historia Bononiae (?) pp. 93, 162.
6. THEODERIC of Apolda,
in Acta Sanctorum, XXXV, 581, No. 122.
7. See sketch of Rudolph
of Faenza.
8. JORDAN of Saxony
(Berthier ed.), pp. 19-20.
9. Much of what is given
in the last three paragraphs is taken from the Année Dominicaine. Ulysses
Chevalier's Bio-Bibliographie, II, 3915, shows that there is considerable
literature on Blessed Reginald. (Ed. note).
Born: at
Saint-Gilles, Languedoc, France, c. 1183
Died: 1220
Canonized: Pius IX
confirmed his cult in 1875.
First Vespers:
Ant. Strengthen by holy
intercession, O Reginald, confessor of the Lord, those here present, have we
who are burdened with the weight of our offenses may be relieved by the glory
of thy blessedness, and may by thy guidance attain eternal rewards.
V. Pray for us, Blessed
Reginald.
R. That we may be made
worthy of the promises of Christ.
Lauds:
Ant. Well done, good and
faithful servant, because Thou has been faithful in a few things, I will set
thee over many, sayeth the Lord.
V. The just man shall blossom
like the lily.
R. And shall flourish
forever before the Lord.
Second Vespers:
Ant. I will liken him
unto a wise man, who built his house upon a rock..
V. Pray for us. Blessed
Reginald.
R. That we may be made
worthy of the promises of Christ.
Prayer:
Let us Pray: Almighty
and eternal God, who didst vouchsafe to Thy Blessed Confessor, Reginald, the
special protection of Thy most holy Mother, grant us through his merits and
prayers, that we may be always strengthened by the same glorious Mary, ever
Virgin. Who livest and reignest world without end. Amen.
Prayer II:
God of all riches, with the aid of the Mother of Mercy, You called Blessed Reginald to a life of poverty and granted him power to persuade others to embrace religious life. By his prayers guide our steps in the way of Your Word, so that with hearts enkindled we may run in the way of Your commandments. We ask this through our Lord Jesus Christ, Your Son, who lives and reigns with You and the Holy Ghost, one God, for ever and ever. Amen.
SOURCE : http://www.willingshepherds.org/Dominican%20Saint%20February.html#Reginald
Beato Reginaldo di
Orleans Sacerdote domenicano
Festa: 1 febbraio
Orléans, Francia, 1180
ca. – Parigi, 1 febbraio 1220
Fu canonico di Orléans e
docente di diritto canonico all'Università di Parigi. A Roma venne accolto
nell'Ordine da s. Domenico e fu miracolosamente guarito da una grave malattia
per intercessione della b. v. Maria, la quale apparendogli gli mostrò l'abito completo
dell'Ordine. Nel 1218, a Bologna, come grande predicatore infiammò gli animi
dei suoi ascoltatori, inducendone molti ad entrare nell'Ordine, al punto che,
divenuto angusto l'edificio della Mascarella, trasferì la comunità a s. Niccolò
delle vigne. Visto il successo ottenuto a Bologna, s. Domenico verso al fine
del 1219 lo inviò a Parigi per risollevare le sorti anche di quella comunità:
anche lì 1a sua predicazione esercitò un fascino irresistibile. Ma poche
settimane dopo il suo arrivo, verso il 12 febbraio, morì col sorriso sulle
labbra, esprimendo la sua gioia di aver abbracciato la vita degli apostoli.
Etimologia: Reginaldo
= che regna con intelligenza, dal tedesco
Martirologio
Romano: A Parigi in Francia, beato Reginaldo di Orléans, sacerdote, che,
di passaggio da Roma, conquistato nell’animo dalle parole di san Domenico,
entrò nell’Ordine dei Predicatori, al quale attrasse molti con l’esempio delle
sue virtù e la sua ardente eloquenza.
Il beato Giordano di Sassonia († 1237) domenicano e successore di San Domenico, scrisse del beato Reginaldo suo contemporaneo: “La sua eloquenza era infuocata e la sua parola, come fiaccola ardente, infiammava l’animo degli ascoltatori; ben pochi avevano il cuore così indurito da resistere al calore di quel fuoco. Pareva un secondo Elia”.
Reginaldo nacque probabilmente nella diocesi di Orléans, anche se non si conosce con esattezza il luogo di nascita, verso il 1180.
Fu professore di Diritto all’Università di Parigi e decano dei canonici di St-Aignan ad Orléans; nel 1218 si recò a Roma, per proseguire poi per la Terra Santa, al seguito del proprio vescovo mons. Manasse II di Seignelay.
A Roma conobbe il card. Ugolino (futuro papa Gregorio IX) e tramite di questi conobbe s. Domenico di Guzman, fondatore dell’Ordine dei Predicatori.
Il decano di St-Aignan era uomo d’intelligenza, aperto ai problemi religiosi del suo tempo e avvertiva con un certo rimorso il contrasto tra la sua vita agiata e raffinata, la sua attività amministrativa e l’appello accorato lanciato nel 1215 dal IV Concilio Lateranense, ad uno stile di vita più evangelico.
Il messaggio della povertà evangelica così integralmente realizzato nel nuovo Ordine Domenicano, fondato nello stesso 1215 a Tolosa, attrasse profondamente l’animo insoddisfatto del decano Reginaldo d’Orléans.
Durante la sua permanenza romana cadde ammalato abbastanza seriamente, s. Domenico nel fargli visita, lo invitò ad entrare nel suo Ordine per seguire la povertà di Cristo, poi accompagnata dalla sua guarigione, ebbe una miracolosa apparizione della Vergine, la quale gli mostrò l’abito completo del nuovo Ordine. Le sue resistenze caddero ed egli s’impegnò ad entrare fra i Predicatori al ritorno dalla Terra Santa.
Nel dicembre 1218, s. Domenico già lo inviò a Bologna come suo vicario, in questa città studentesca, Reginaldo si sentì a suo agio; trasferì la Comunità domenicana dalla Mascarella a S. Niccolò delle Vigne e con la sua irresistibile eloquenza, attrasse all’Ordine allievi e docenti universitari.
Un anno dopo, nel 1219 san Domenico lo inviò a St-Jacques di Parigi per rinvigorire quella comunità domenicana vacillante, anche qui affluirono all’Ordine studenti e professori dell’Università e intorno ai religiosi si formò un alone di cultura e spiritualità.
Ma poche settimane dopo il suo arrivo a Parigi, Reginaldo morì il 1° febbraio 1220; fu uno dei primi grandi dolori per il santo fondatore che ne fu affranto, lo consolò solo il sapere che Reginaldo era morto con il sorriso sulle labbra e dichiarando tutta la sua felicità per aver abbracciata la povertà degli Apostoli.
Fu sepolto a Parigi nel cimitero benedettino di Notre-Dame-des-Champs; gli fu tributato fin da subito il culto di beato, confermato poi da papa Pio IX l’8 luglio 1875.
La sua celebrazione è riportata dal Martirologio Romano al 1° febbraio.
Autore: Antonio Borrelli
