Saints celebrated on the 17th of June
BL. JOSEPH-MARIE CASSANT
Blessed Joseph-Marie Cassant was born in 1878 in the diocese of Agen, France. Later, as a lodger at the boarding school of the La Salle Brothers in Casseneuil, he gradually felt the deep desire to become a priest. Fr Filhol, the parish priest, thought well enough of the boy to help him with his studies, but the latter's weak memory kept him from entering the minor seminary. When it became clear that he was drawn towards silence, recollection and prayer, Fr Filhol suggested that he would think of the Trappists, and the young sixteen-year-old unhesitatingly agreed. After a trial period, Joseph entered the Cistercian Abbey of Sainte-Marie du Desert, in the diocese of Toulouse, in 1894 .
PATIENCE, HOPE AND LOVE
The young monk, who got on well in the monastery, would often meditate upon Jesus in his Passion and on the Cross, and so became deeply imbued with love for Christ. The "way of Jesus' heart" which Fr Andre, the Novice Master, taught him is an unceasing call to live the present moment with patience, hope and love.
ALL FOR JESUS, ALL THROUGH MARY
Brother Joseph-Marie was well aware of his lacks and weaknesses, and so was led to depend more and more on Jesus, his strength. His personal motto bears witness to this: "All for Jesus, all through Mary". On Ascension Thursday, 24th May 1900, he was admitted to final vows.
THE ONLY GOOD UPON THIS EARTH
Then came his preparation for the priesthood. This he viewed primarily in relation to the Eucharist, which was truly to him the living presence of Jesus among us. There were times during his theological studies when, because of his great sensitivity, he suffered much from the lack of understanding of the monk teaching the course. But, as in all his contradictions, he relied upon Christ present in the Eucharist as his "only good upon this earth" and confided his suffering to Fr Andre. In the end, he did well enough to pass his examinations and had the great joy of being ordained a priest on October 12, 1902.
THE WAY OF THE CROSS
At that point it became clear that he had contracted tuberculosis and that the disease was already well advanced. The young priest spoke of his pains only when it was impossible to hide them further. How could he complain, he who meditated so lovingly on the Lord's Way of the Cross? In spite of a seven weeks' stay with his family which he undertook at his abbot's request, his health continued to deteriorate. He then returned to the monastery, where he was soon sent to stay in the infirmary. Here was one more opportunity to offer up his sufferings for Christ and the Church: his physical pain became more and more unbearable, and was even worsened by the infirmarian's neglect. Fr Andre continued to accompany him and became more than ever his constant aid and support. He had said, "When I can no longer say Mass, Jesus can take me from this world." Early in the morning of the 17th of June 1903, Father Joseph-Marie received communion and left this world to be with Christ Jesus for ever.
LIMITLESS GENEROSITY
The sheer ordinariness of his life has been noted by some: 16 quiet years at Casseneuil and 9 years of monastic enclosure spent in doing the simplest of things: prayer, studies, work. They are indeed simple things, but lived in an extraordinary way. They were the slightest of deeds, but performed with limitless generosity. Christ imbued his mind, clear as the water that leaps from a spring, with the conviction that God alone is our true and highest happiness and that his kingdom is like a hidden treasure or a pearl of great price.
(Excerpts from a homily of St John Paul II)
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