BL. CHARLES, ABBOT OF VILLIERS

BL. CHARLES, ABBOT OF VILLIERS - 29 JANUARY

BLESSED CHARLES, ABBOT OF VILLIERS

Blessed Charles (Carolus), commemorated on January 29, the eighth abbot of the monastery of Villiers (Villarium) in Brabant, was descended from the Counts of Seyn and distinguished himself under Emperor Frederick I by bravery and other military virtues.

However, contemplation of the vanity of the world induced him to enter the monastery of Hemmenrode (Bishopric of Trier), and he lived there as an example and model of all virtues. When, however, the Archbishop of Cologne desired a capable religious man to found the monastery of Heisterbach, Charles was entrusted with the mission there; but no sooner had he accomplished this foundation than he was elected abbot of the above-mentioned monastery of Villers, a position which he accepted only by express order of the general chapter. When a nobleman once asked him how he could content himself with beans and peas when he was accustomed to better food, he replied:

"I mix three peppercorns into my food, which make it very tasty: manual labour, night vigils, and the expectation of a higher, better banquet."

Finally, he resigned his position and returned to Hemmenrode. However, contrary to his wishes, he could not remain there long. At the call of his superiors, he was forced to reform the Abbey of St. Agatha, where he concluded his earthly pilgrimage in 1209. After his death, his admission to the eternal contemplation of God was revealed to a pious matron.

The Bollandists* provide detailed accounts of his writings, just as they do with all the saints and blessed, but omit his title, probably because they could not locate any documents regarding his ecclesiastical veneration? Or was the title "blessed" just forgotten in their article? Other hagiographers (e.g., Lechner*) list this holy abbot as "Blessed Charles".

(Information from Stadler's Complete Encyclopedia of Saints, Volume 1, Augsburg, 1858, p. 563)

*A hagiography source used by the authors

Stadler's Complete Encyclopedia of Saints - Sources and Abbreviations

PRAYER:

Grant, we beseech you, almighty God, that the venerable feast of Blessed Charles may increase our devotion and promote our salvation. Through our Lord Jesus Christ, your Son, who lives and reigns with you in the unity of the Holy Spirit, God, for ever and ever. Amen.

Sources of these articles (in the original German): books.google.co.uk, de-academic.com, zeno.org, openlibrary.org

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