Blessed Nicolas Barré
Blessed Nicolas Barré (born October 21, 1621 AD in Amiens, France; died May 31, 1686 AD in Paris, France) was a French Minim friar, priest, and spiritual master who founded the Sisters of the Infant Jesus and pioneered free schools for the education of poor children. He is venerated as a Blessed of the Church. His feast day is May 31.
A gifted theologian and director of souls, Nicolas Barré devoted himself to the neglected poor, above all to children who had no means of instruction, and his charitable schools and teaching sisters spread through France. He was beatified in 1999.
Stored in Cargo: Blessed Nicolas Barré
| Blessed Nicolas Barré | |
|---|---|
| Feast Day | May 31 |
| Profession | Minim friar; priest; founder of the Sisters of the Infant Jesus |
| Rel. Affiliation | Catholic Church; Order of Minims |
| Patronage | Teachers; the Christian education of poor children; the Sisters of the Infant Jesus |
| Attributes | Minim habit |
| Birthplace | Amiens, France |
| Death Place | Paris, France |
| Cause of Death | Natural death; Minim friar and founder of the Sisters of the Infant Jesus; died at Paris |
| Primary Shrine | Paris, France |
Biography
Nicolas Barré was born on October 21, 1621, at Amiens in France. As a young man he entered the Order of Minims, the austere community founded by Saint Francis of Paola, and was ordained a priest. He became known for his learning and taught theology, while also winning a great reputation as a wise and sought-after spiritual director.
His heart was drawn especially to the poor, and above all to the many children—particularly girls—who grew up without instruction in the faith or in letters because their families could not afford schooling. To meet this need he organized free charitable schools, beginning at Rouen, and gathered devout young women to staff them. From these companions grew the community that became the Sisters of the Infant Jesus (also known from their first house as the Sisters of Providence or "Dames de Saint-Maur"), dedicated to the free Christian education of poor children.
Nicolas Barré formed his sisters in a spirit of humility, self-denial, and trust in God, and his method of charitable schooling influenced others who took up the cause of educating the poor. He continued his labors in Paris until his death there on May 31, 1686. He was beatified on March 7, 1999, by Pope John Paul II. His feast is kept on May 31.
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Feast day
May 31
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