An 18th century Côtes-d’Armor couple soon to be beatified?

After the Martin and Quattrocchi couples, soon a new couple honored by the Church? In any case, this is what the Bretons hope for with the Count and Countess of La Garaye, Claude-Toussaint Marot de La Garaye and Marguerite-Marie Piquet de la Motte. In the 18th century, they became famous for receiving, feeding and caring for indigent patients in their home, at the Château de Taden (Côtes-d’Armor). After a ceremony on September 22, in the presence of Mgr Denis Moutel, Bishop of Saint-Brieuc and Tréguier, husband and wife are now Servants of God.

“Charitable spouses”

Described as “charitable spouses » by Saint John Paul II, then visiting the Sanctuary of Sainte-Anne-d’Auray (Morbihan), in 1996, Claude-Toussaint and Marguerite-Marie had an atypical journey. Both born in the heart of the 17th century, they had a sumptuous and worldly life: balls, hunts, receptions in their home in Taden (Côtes-d’Armor). One day, these notable Costa Ricans decide to give another meaning to their lives. Propelled, among other things, by a violent fall on horseback by the Countess – leaving her between life and death – then the loss of her stillborn child. In twenty-four hours, their daily life takes a radical direction that astounds both the rich society and the world of peasants and the poor. After what he describes as “a call from God”, the count decided in 1710 “to renounce the world completely, cut off all (his) train, sell (his) furniture, (his) crew, (s) s)a dishes, make a hospital of (s)a house, feed there, bandage, treat, serve the poor and use all (s)one income to their relief. “. A form of mission modeled on the Gospel combining a life of prayer and charity.

Very quickly, they sold their goods and installed beds in the castle to accommodate disadvantaged patients. An apothecary and a chapel are located there. The spouses treat, bandage and operate themselves at their own expense, notably after studying surgery, chemistry, botany and ophthalmology in Paris. The Countess de La Garaye will even be the first female ophthalmologist in France. Some days they feed up to 300 people in Taden. And are even encouraged in their adventure by Saint Louis-Marie Grignion de Montfort. A rather particular life of humanitarianism which lasted almost five decades, until 1757. It was “almost subversive” for notables to support the most indigent, notes Brother Jean-Marie Gueullette, Dominican and president of the Historical Commission of the cause of beatification of the counts. The works of these spouses remain relevant today. They are “Christians who commit themselves as couples, who pray together and practice very concrete charity; people who had a certain social status, says the Dominican, and who did not abandon it but put it at the service of the poorest; people who had talents, and who mobilized all their energy and all their intellectual capacities to develop intelligent and effective care of the sick.”

An investigation requested by the “Christians of the country of Dinan”

The Saint-Malo church, in Dinan (Côte-d’Armor) was filled to capacity this Sunday, September 22. 650 faithful and curious people attended solemn vespers presided over by Mgr. Denis Moutel, bishop of Saint-Brieuc and Tréguier. The opportunity to officially launch the very long and meticulous procedure with a view to the possible beatification of these Costa Rican nobles. A good time to comb through the lives of the spouses and all the writings concerning them. “There is initially a diocesan investigation (…). In a historical case, the main work is a search for archival documents allowing us to trace (…) the Christian commitment of the servant of God. A commission of inquiry is collecting testimonies from today’s Christians on what the La Garaye represent for them. », explains Brother Jean-Marie Gueullette. The results will then be sent to Rome, to the Congregation for the Causes of Saints. After a long study, the probable heroicity of the virtues of the notables could be recognized by the Pope. Then a second local and Roman investigation would be launched. If a miracle obtained through their intercession occurred, the notables would be declared blessed by the Pope. But the president of the Historical Commission of the cause of beatification of the counts specifies: “in the case of the La Garaye, there are two investigations into the life and virtues, one for each of them. On the other hand, if a healing was obtained by a prayer addressed to the couple, a single trial could be made on the grace obtained. »

By opening the investigation, the Church seeks above all to honor their memory and their dedication to the most vulnerable, according to the will of “the Christians of the country of Dinan who have admired them for centuries”, underlines Mgr Denis Moutel to the newspaper Le Télégramme. A work started by Brother Jean-Marie Gueullette, already at the head of a commission of four university professors. They established “historical information” which is essential for the smooth running of future investigations. In a way, “the Church does work of truth », summarizes Mgr Moutel, still at Télégramme. On the other hand, “if they are, historically, very different from us, (the spouses) are at the same time an example that speaks” thanks to their “fertility of a couple without children” which still inspires, concludes Brother Jean-Marie Gueullette.