Blessed Roger le Fort

On the day the clergy and the people were to proceed with the election, the blessed Roger happened to be in the church, and he was able to observe the scandalous eagerness with which the canons were agitated, unrestrained by the fear of the duties and difficulties inherent in the episcopate. It is reported that, in a joking tone, he said to one of them who was entering the Chapter: "And I too would wish that the lords electors would remember me for the present matter." The canon immediately carried the remark to the assembly; the improvised candidate immediately won all the votes. Then the president, who had long known the merit and worth of Roger, stood up and said to the electors: "My brothers, heaven and earth are witnesses that you have chosen and requested Lord Roger as bishop. As for me, in accordance with your opinion, I declare, in the name of the Father, and of the Son, and of the Holy Spirit, that he whom your wishes designate must indeed be the Pontiff of this city, for he is a man of angelic countenance, of eminent holiness and wisdom. Be convinced that this is how the Holy Spirit Himself judges, to whom you could not resist without rendering yourselves guilty." After this address, Roger was unanimously elected Bishop of Orléans. N ow, while the ca nons were casting their votes, the servant of God, frightened by the turn things were taking, began to protest and say that he in no way aspired to such an honor, that the words that had fallen from his lips were not serious, and that they were strangely mistaken if they believed he was fit for episcopal functions. Nevertheless, the voice of the people came to ratify the choice of the Chapter, and the elect had to bow before the will from above.

The Vatican registers attest that Roger was presented to the Apostolic Chamber on May 13, 1321. Jo hn XXII c onfirmed his election. His consecration took place on June 13 of the same year, as well as the release of the regalia.

In 1324, the Blessed Roger spent several days at the abb ey of Saint-Mesmin. Th e same year, he elevated the feast of the Conception of the Blessed Virgin to an annual rite, and the following year, by virtue of an apostolic commission, in concert with the Archbishop of Vienne, he c onducted a visitation of the monastery of Longpont.

Roger le Fort was transferred to Limoges and then to the patriarchal see of Bou rges. He died in 1367, at the age of ninety, on August 5, according to the martyrology of Orléans.

Excerpt from The Bishops of O rléans, by V . Pelletier.