Saints celebrated on the 9th of June
WELCOME!
HEINRICH MICHAEL BUCHE, SHOEMAKER ("GOOD HENRY")
Henricus (June 9), whose full name was Heinrich Michael Buche or Buch, nicknamed "the Good," - of whom Butler* (XV. 503) says he was a shining model of heroic virtue - was born at the end of the 16th century (according to Migne*). His parents were poor day labourers from Arlon in the Duchy of Luxembourg. He learned the shoemaking trade, which he combined with the zealous practice of all Christian virtues. From his youth onwards, his whole life was a continuous mortification of his senses and his own will. He always thought of his own salvation and that of his fellow journeymen. His only desire on this side of eternity was to lead himself and others to the perfect knowledge and love of Jesus. He often wept bitter tears over the ignorance and sinfulness in which many artisans lived.
He thus formed a society of God-fearing companions who, under the protection and intercession of Saints Crispin and Crispinian, joined together to shine through their virtues, just as others distinguished themselves through their vices. The aim was for the members to lead pious, withdrawn, and chaste lives, through zealous attendance at Christian doctrine, through daily revival of the cardinal virtues, and through the frequent and worthy consumption of the Body and Blood of our Lord Jesus [attending the Catholic Holy Mass and taking Holy Communion].
The brotherhood he had founded regarded him as their father. He listened to their grievances, settled disputes, mediated between parties, reconciled those at odds, comforted, and helped wherever he could. The love of Jesus, which inspired him, taught him the secret of how, even in poverty, one could become a benefactor of one's fellow human beings. He fasted and abstained so that he could help and assist others. Later, providence led him to Paris, where, with divine assistance, he began this work of love anew. The founding of the Brotherhood of Shoemakers (frères cordonniers) took place in 1645. Baron von Renti promoted his business, obtained his citizenship, and allowed him to become a master so that he could take on apprentices and journeymen who would observe the rules of the brotherhood. Later, a tailors' association was formed on their model. This example was imitated in other cities.
An institution of this kind was founded in Rome itself. The members rose at 5 a.m. and prayed communally (other prayers were scheduled for specific hours), attended Holy Mass every day, observed silence, held a meditation with examination of conscience before meals, attended the entire service on Sundays and holidays, visited the poor in prisons, hospitals, and in their own homes, held a spiritual retreat lasting several days each year, and so on. It is indescribable how much good "Good Henry" accomplished through this. He died in Paris on June 9, 1666, of pneumonia and was buried in the Saint Gervais Cemetery, where he had done much good in the local hospital during his lifetime. (But. XV. 503.)
(Information from Stadler's Complete Encyclopedia of Saints, Volume 2, Augsburg, 1861, p. 646)
*A hagiography source used by the authors
Stadler's Complete Encyclopedia of Saints - Sources and Abbreviations
Sources of these articles (in the original German): books.google.co.uk, de-academic.com, zeno.org, openlibrary.org
Comments
Post a Comment