Blessed Nicholas Barré, O.M. | |
---|---|
Religious, priest and founder | |
Born |
Amiens, Picardy, Kingdom of France |
21 October 1621
Died | 31 May 1686 Paris, Kingdom of France |
(aged 64)
Venerated in |
Roman Catholic Church (France, Sisters of the Infant Jesus, Minim friars) |
Beatified | 7 March 1999, St. Peter's Basilica, Vatican City, by Pope John Paul II |
Feast | 21 October |
Patronage | Institute of the Infant Jesus |
Influenced | St. John Baptist de la Salle, Institute of the Brothers of the Christian Schools |
Nicholas Barré, O.M. (21 October 1621 – 31 May 1686), was a French Minim friar and Catholic priest, who founded the Sisters of the Infant Jesus. He has been beatified by the Roman Catholic Church.
Barré was born in Amiens, in the ancient province of Picardy in the Kingdom of France on 21 October 1621, the first-born and only son of Louis and Antoinette Barré. His father was one in a family line of haberdashers, a profession which had Saint Nicholas as a patron saint. As a boy, he was educated by the Jesuits, but later, in 1640, chose to join the Minims friars, founded by St. Francis of Paola, whose friars lead a very austere and penitential life. He professed religious vows in 1642.
Barré was sent to Paris in 1643 to pursue his theological studies in preparation for Holy Orders. While he was still a deacon, he was asked to teach philosophy at the monastery on the Place Royale (now Place des Vosges). After his ordination to the priesthood in 1645, he assumed the office of professor of theology and librarian for the famous library the monastery maintained.
In 1655 Barré became ill and was sent to the monastery in Amiens. There he was appointed to work as the sacristan of the house. The calming influence of this office brought about a quick recovery.