Saint Benilde Romancon
Saint Benilde Romancon (born June 14, 1805 in Thuret, Auvergne, France; died August 13, 1862 in Saugues, Haute-Loire, France) was a French member of the Institute of the Brothers of the Christian Schools (De La Salle Brothers) who spent his entire religious life in the humble and faithful work of elementary education in rural France. He was beatified on April 4, 1948 by Pope Pius XII and canonized on October 29, 1967 by Pope Paul VI. He is one of the rare lay brothers in the De La Salle tradition to be canonized. His feast day is August 13.
Stored in Cargo: Saint Benilde Romancon
| Saint Benilde Romancon | |
|---|---|
| Feast Day | August 13 |
| Profession | De La Salle Brother; elementary school teacher |
| Rel. Affiliation | Institute of the Brothers of the Christian Schools (De La Salle Brothers) |
| Patronage | Elementary school teachers; De La Salle Brothers |
| Attributes | Teaching habit of the De La Salle Brothers; children around him; book or slate |
| Birthplace | Thuret, Puy-de-Dôme, Auvergne, France |
| Death Place | Saugues, Haute-Loire, Auvergne, France |
| Cause of Death | Natural causes |
| Primary Shrine | Saugues, Haute-Loire, France |
| Liturgical Class | Optional Memorial (De La Salle Brothers) |
| Historic Class | Not included |
Biography
Early life and religious vocation
Pierre Romancon was born on June 14, 1805 in Thuret, a village in the Auvergne region of France. He entered the Institute of the Brothers of the Christian Schools and, upon receiving the religious habit, took the name Benilde. The De La Salle Brothers were founded by Saint John Baptist de La Salle specifically for the free education of poor children; Brother Benilde embraced this mission wholeheartedly.
Teaching ministry
Benilde spent his entire religious life as an elementary school teacher, serving primarily in the small town of Saugues in the Haute-Loire for twenty-four years. He was by all accounts an ordinary, faithful, and unpretentious religious—not a founder, not a mystic of extraordinary gifts, not a martyred reformer. His holiness expressed itself in the hidden fidelity of daily duty: teaching, prayer, regularity of religious observance, and kindness to the children entrusted to him.
His beatification and canonization by the Church represent a formal affirmation that sanctity can be achieved in ordinary secular work faithfully and prayerfully performed—that the humble schoolteacher in a provincial town can be a saint.
Death
Benilde died on August 13, 1862 in Saugues, after years of devoted service. His cause was opened in the twentieth century as the Church increasingly recognized lay apostolates and hidden holiness.
Significant events
- Born June 14, 1805 in Thuret, Auvergne.
- Entered the De La Salle Brothers; took the name Benilde.
- Served as elementary school teacher in Saugues for 24 years.
- Died August 13, 1862 in Saugues.
- Beatified April 4, 1948 by Pope Pius XII.
- Canonized October 29, 1967 by Pope Paul VI.
Significant locations
Legend
Birth location: Thuret, Puy-de-Dôme, Auvergne, France
Death location: Saugues, Haute-Loire, Auvergne, France
Notable location: Location of the school where he served for 24 years; place of his death (Saugues, Haute-Loire, France)
Notable location: His birthplace (Thuret, Puy-de-Dôme, France)
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Canonization
Beatification
Benilde Romancon was beatified on April 4, 1948 by Pope Pius XII in Vatican City.
Canonization
He was canonized on October 29, 1967 by Pope Paul VI in Vatican City.
Feast day
August 13
Veneration
Saint Benilde Romancon is venerated in the Roman Catholic Church with a feast day on August 13, particularly by the De La Salle Brothers and in the Diocese of Le Puy-en-Velay.
Prayers
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