In the chapel of the Sacred Heart. Behind the statue is a portrayal of Pierre de Luxembourg (in red) and St. François de Sales, worshipping the Sacred Heart.
Pierre de Luxembourg is considered one of the patron saints of Avignon, even though he’s never actually been canonized. The brilliant second son of a noble family, he dedicated his life to religion from an early age, and before he was twenty had been appointed cardinal of Avignon. He was as much a believer in self-discipline and self-denial as he was a benefactor of the poor, however – with the unfortunate effect that he died young from what were believed to be the complications of a prolonged period of fasting. At his request, he was buried in the city’s cemetery for the poor.
His brief but exemplary life led to his elevation as an icon for the population of the city, which marked his feast day as a holiday for centuries after his death. His cardinal’s vestments are still displayed in the church.
The Swiss St. François de Sales, who lived two centuries later, was greatly inspired by Pierre, and came to Avignon to pray at his tomb in the last month of his own life.
Posted by JohnOD2012 on 2019-04-15 01:05:52
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