Saint Franchy

God once permitted the demon of jealousy to enter the earthly paradise, so we should not be surprised if sometimes the same demon wreaks havoc even in the most perfect houses: this is what happened regarding Saint Franchy. His entirely holy life, his love of discipline, and all his virtues were a condemnation of the lukewarm and lax life of some of his brothers, and they did not delay in setting traps for him. As he knew how to adapt to all the needs of the house and make himself fit for all duties, he was one day tasked with making the bread necessary for the monastery; but his envious peers, desiring to make him fail, hid all the bakery instruments. Franchy, not finding them, placed his trust in God: this trust was not deceived; he made the sign of the cross, began his work, even though he did not have what was necessary, and the bread was ready on time and perfectly prepared.

In these times of continuous wars, monasteries were not spared; that of Saint-Martin de la Bretonnière was devastated and consumed by flames.

Franchy made the resolution to retire into solitude: this is what he did with one of the brothers named Antoine. There, the y led t he most mortified life, living on herbs and roots. Having reached an advanced age, Saint Franchy resolved to return to his native soil; he therefore set out with Brother Antoine, but his strength failed him and he was on the point of remaining on the road. However, God willed that he should be, after his death, the protector of the places he had built up in his childhood and during his life; two untamed bulls, says the legend, appeared: Antoine prepared a yoke and a kind of vehicle for them, on which he placed the holy old man, who was thus able to reach his native land, where he died full of virtues and merits, towards the middle of the 8th century. A monastery was built, under the protection of the Saint, on the very spot where he had spent his childhood. In the 9th century, the church of this monastery held an abbatial title; it was burned down shortly after; and, in 1031, Hugh II, Bi shop of N evers, ceded to the canons of his church all the dependencies of the Abbey of Saint-Franchy. A church was rebuilt there, which became a parish church. Several other churches in the diocese of Never s are under his i nvocation, among others that of Amazy. The old p arish of Poussignol, now unite d with Bli smes, also honored him as its patron. We have no details on the relics of Saint Franchy. We read in the Legendary of Autun that they were transported to the Abb ey of Saint-Symphorien in that city. The d ate of this translation is not indicated.

The feast of Saint Franchy was formerly celebrated on May 16; it was moved forward by one day because of its occurrence with that of Saint Pelerin.

Hagiology of Nevers.

Franchy resolved to withdraw into solitude: this he did with one of the brothers named Anthony. There, they led the most mortified life, living on herbs and roots. Having reached an advanced age, Saint Franchy resolved to return to his native soil; he therefore set out with Brother Anthony, but his strength failed him and he was on the point of remaining on the road. However, God willed that he should be, after his death, the protector of the places he had built up in his childhood and during his life; two untamed bulls, says the legend, appeared: Anthony prepared a yoke and a kind of vehicle for them, upon which he placed the holy old man, who was thus able to reach his native country, where he died full of virtues and merits, towards the middle of the 8th century. A monastery was built, under the protection of the Saint, at the very place where he had spent his childhood. In the 9th century, the church of this monastery held an abbatial title; it was burned down shortly after; and, in 1031, Hugh II, Bishop of Nevers, ceded to the canons of his church all the dependencies of the Abbey of Saint-Franchy. A church was rebuilt there, which became a parish church. Several other churches in the diocese of Nevers are under his invocation, among others that of Amazy. The old parish of Poussignol, now united with Blismes, also honored him as its patron. We have no details on the relics of Saint Franchy. We read in the Legendary of Autun that they were transported to the Abbey of Saint-Symphorien in that city. The date of this translation is not indicated.

The feast of Saint Franchy was formerly celebrated on May 16; it was moved forward by one day because of its occurrence with that of Saint Peregrinus.

Hagiology of Nevers.