From the Common of One Martyr

 

 

Bl. Jacques Retouret was born at Limoges in France on 15th September 1746 to

a merchant family. He was a serious young man, a lover of books and greatly

gifted. At fifteen years of age, he entered the Carmelite house in his

native city. After ordination, his zeal and learning were widely admired and

large crowds of people were attracted by his way of preaching.

Unfortunately, he was often unable to fulfill all his engagements, due to

his persistent bad health which plagued him throughout his life. Like so

many clergy who stood up for religious freedom, he died during the French

Revolution after being imprisoned for some time. Jacques died at Madame

Isle, some miles distant from Rochefort, on 26th August 1794 at the age of

48 years. He was beatified, together with 63 other priests and religious, as

martyrs for the faith, on 1st October 1995 by Pope John Paul II.

 

 

Prayer

God of power and mercy,

You gave Jacques Retouret, your martyr,

victory over pain and suffering.

Strengthen us who celebrate this day of his triumph and help us to be

victorious over the evils that threaten us.

Through Christ our Lord.