French Revolution martyr beatified

May 02, 2012

Father Pierre-Adrien Toulorge (1757-93), a Norbertine priest martyred during the French Revolution, was beatified on April 29 at the cathedral in Coutances, France. Cardinal Angelo Amato, prefect of the Congregation for the Causes of Saints, presided at the beatification, which was attended by 1,500 faithful and hundreds of priests and religious.

When Father Toulorge was sentenced to death, a nun who was arrested with him wept, prompting this rebuke from the priest:

Madame, the tears you are shedding are unworthy of you and me. What would worldly people say if they knew that having renounced the world, we found it difficult to leave it? If we are loathe to die, we will give the children of this century a bad example, and perhaps your discouragement will close the door of salvation for many souls who might find themselves in the same situation. Let us teach them by our constancy what they must do. Let us show that faith is victorious over torture, and open a path to heaven amidst the final efforts of hell.

 

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Further information:

• 1 500 fidèles et plus de 300 religieux pour le Bienheureux père Toulorge à Coutances (Ouest-France.fr)
• The Life and Martyrdom of Pierre-Adrien Toulorge o.praem. (Norbertine Vocations)