Inter-Communion

8 December 2009

Lourdes Pilgrimage

         240 of us departed from                     Basilica                      Our group at the Grotto

      Manchester Airport at 8.00

              Back at 21.00

      Bernadette today in her casket         Her Convent in Nevers                   Her Statue

More of St Savin

The church of Saint-Savin-in-Lavedan, today parochial, formed part until the French revolution of a monastery very influential Benedictine at the time Romance. It dates from XIIème century and was elevated in XIVème century. Nothing remains of the abbey if it is not the abbey one and the chapter house.

The unquestionable history of the monastery goes back to Xème century. In 945, the counts and Viscounts of Bigorre will equip it richly. An affiliation with the abbey of Saint-Victor of Marseilles to XIème century will enable him to raise the current church.
After several relaxations of discipline, the commende in XVIème century, the test of restoration by the congregation of Maur Saint at the XVIIème century, the périclite abbey and is degraded. Three monks reside only there in 1790. The following year the church becomes parochial and the monastic buildings are sold.
 

                                                             St Savin 15 Century Organ

Saint-Savin lived a few centuries earlier. According to the authors, between 5th and IXème century; many uncertainties still remain on the exact date. What is certain, it is that it was one of the first Christians to have evangelise the valley of Lavedan, after a passage to the monastery of Ligugé.
Of Spanish origin, it leaves very to follow Christ and to announce the Gospel. It is established as a hermit in the mountain above the village to the locality “Pouy-Winder”. It will carry out a life of prayer to it, contemplation and austerities during thirteen years, according to the tradition.
To its death, its body will be gone down again to the village of Bencer - old name of Saint-Savin to be venerated there. Today the tomb of Savin saint, of Romance origin, is the principal furnace bridge of this church. On each side of this sarcophagus, two large tables painted on wood and dated from XVème century, illustrate in a very alive way the life of the saint. They evoke its miracles and testify to the enthusiasm of a whole people for that which will become patron saint of this valley.

 St Anthony and St Francis

 pray for us

I just want to be a Nobody, willing to tell Everybody,
  that there is  a Somebody, who can save Anybody.

Prayer for Vocations

Thy Kingdom come.

Special Novena Click Here