The Life Of Léon Papin-Dupont, The Holy Man Of Tours
Publisher: London : Burns and Oates; Dublin : M.H. Gill
Published: 1882
Place of publication: London, England; Dublin, Ireland
Language: eng
Description: Library Of Religious Biography Volume 8 of 9.
Table of contents: title: CONTENTS.; title: Dedication i; title: Advertisement iv; title: In Memoriam xiv; title: CHAPTER I.; title: THE EARLY YEARS OF LEON DUPONT.; title: His natural characteristics. His spiritual grandeur revealed in his confidential letters. His biographer, the Abbe' Janvier, discovers in him a saintly figure of a most exceptional kind. Leon's parentage and birth. Loss of his father. Instance of his boyish truthfulness. He is placed at the College of Pontlevoy. Fervour of his first communion. His vivacity ; lasting injury to his hand caused by his obstinacy. His mother's second marriage. Leon studies law at Paris. His gay and worldly life. He sets up a cabriolet with jockey. His first introduction to M. Bordier. His compunction at having neglected a religions obligation ; the change wrought in him thereby. The Congregation of Our Lady; its objects and success. The Society of Good Works ; Leon's ardour in his new career of charity and mercy page 1; title: CHAPTER II.; title: LEON DUPONT'S NEW LIFE.; title: His boldness in fulfilling his Christian duties. An act of generous kindness and self-sacrifice. He suspects his servant wrongfully, and makes humble reparation. Instance of his frankness. His attraction to the ecclesiastical state. He returns to Martinique, his birthplace. His time divided between works of charity and social amusements. His impulsiveness exemplified. He constitutes himself guardian of a little orphan girl. Death of his brother Theobald. His marriage ; early death of his wife. His deep affliction at her loss. He leaves Martinique and settles at Tours. Confides his daughter Henriette to Mme. de Lignac, Superioress of the Ursulines Question of a vocation to the priesthood decided in the negative. His mission in the secular state. Attention attracted to his open and fervent piety. His whole life a courageous protest against the time-serving spirit of his day. His love of the Blessed Sacrament and frequent communion. He publishes a book on the Holy Eucharist. His devotion to the Breviary. His sociable qualities. Visits to his uncles ; pilgrimages and country sports page 16; title: CHAPTER III.; title: THE PILGRIM SEEKING THE OLD WAYS.; title: M. Dupont receives an interior light concerning the necessity of a life of penance. The day ever after kept by him as an anniversary. His little print of St. Teresa. Beginning of his relations with the Carmel ; miraculous picture of the Annunciation. Animosity to religion in France. No united action among laymen for religious or charitable objects. M. Dupont's indomitable faith ; his reverence for desecrated shrines. His longing desire to restore the ruined Basilica of St. Martin. His nightly " stations." The site of the Saint's tomb forgotten. An old woman's remark suggests an idea. M. Dupont's frequent pilgrimages. His book on "Pilgrimages to the Sanctuaries of Our Lady." An incident at Candes. He adopts the title of Pilgrim; is a most agreeable travelling companion, reason why he gave up a visit to Rome page 33; title: CHAPTER IV.; title: CORPORAL AND SPIRITUAL WORKS OF MERCY.; title: Object of the Conferences of St. Vincent de Paul. M. Dupont's influence in the Society ; the source from which it came. He takes an active part in evening classes for adults. His patience with dull pupils, especially with a big factory lad. His peculiar talent for dealing with soldiers. His frankness and tact in controversy; discussions with his friend Dr. Bretonneau. God and the things of God the only topic interesting to him. He is in great request among his friends ; his talk never wearisome. M. Dupont on guard ; his conversation with a soldier. Its effect on him and other night-watchers; how produced. Journal of the late Mr. William Palmer. His theories on the Church controverted by M. Dupont. The practical line of argument preferred by the holy man ; he strongly insists on the necessity of a childlike spirit. He urges on Mr. Palmer the duty of submission to the Pope. Mr. Palmer asserts that Anglicans believe in the Real Presence ; M. Dupont confronts him with "Grossman's Catechism." Mr. Palmer brings the subject before the Christian Knowledge Society. M. Dupont reproaches him for not genuflecting before the Blessed Sacrament, and disposes of his excuses. Impression produced on Mr. Palmer's mind page 45; title: CHAPTER V.; title: THE WORK OF REPARATION.; title: M. Dupont's burdensome correspondence. Letters to a godchild. He is urged to join the Indiana mission; his reply. The prevalence of blasphemy in France. M. Dupont s holy indignation ; he gives the driver of a diligence a box on the ear. Other instances of his zeal. The Quarantine of St. Louis. Sister Marie de Saint-Pierre ; revelations made to her, similar to that previously made to Mother Adelaide. Reprint of the Feuilles de Saint-Louis, Association for the extinction of blasphemy. Dawn of the worship of the Holy Face. Double mission of Sister Saint-Pierre and M. Dupont. He composes a little Office in honour of the Holy Name of God. Discourse of Pius IX. Mgr. Parisis institutes a Confraternity for the reparation of blasphemy and profanation of the Sunday. It is raised to an Archconfraternity and indulgenced by the Pope. Reason why devotion to the Holy Face is not mentioned in the rules. Spread of the Archconfraternity; joy of M. Dupont page 64; title: CHAPTER VI.; title: THE MEDAL OF ST. BENEDICT.; title: M. Dupont's exalted faith. Slowness of belief no merit. The Abbe' Boullay; his estimate of the holy man. Medals, scapulars, &c, testimonies of reverence and devotion. Extraordinary blessing attached to such things. St. Benedict's medal ; meaning of the initial letters. M. Dupont's high esteem of it as a weapon against the devil ; his profuse and successful use of it. Conversion of a blaspheming paralytic. The medal evicts Satan and drives away an apostate Catholic. It routs a Protestant propaganda ; punishes servile work on Sunday; prevents the desecration of a famous sanctuary. It breaks up a spiritist seance. M. Dupont employs it in the case of animals and the fruits of the earth. Curious incident. The rooks and the espaliers. St. Benedict's crow. M. Dupont stops an inundation with a handful of medals. His hope always confidence. Sees the intervention of Providence in all things. Miracles to him no marvels page 81; title: CHAPTER VII.; title: LA SALETTE.; title: The "Little Gospel of Sister Saint-Pierre." Her veneration for M. Dupont. She has a prescience of the apparition of La Salette. Her mission of reparation is confirmed thereby. Her death. The potato disease. M. Dupont makes a pilgrimage to the mountain. His question to Melanie, and comment on her answer. An act of reparation. The Abbe' Dombey's description of the holy man. Visit to the Grande Chartreuse. M. Dupont's edifying influence. His interview with the Cure of Ars. His testimony to the veracity of the two children. He distributes the water of La Salette. The apparition a source of hope and confidence to him. Mgr. Guibert erects the Confraternity of Our Lady of Reconciliation in the Convent of the Purification. M. Dupont's liberality towards the rebuilding and enlarging of the chapel. Connection between the devotion to Our Lady of La Salette and the worship of the Holy Face page 99; title: CHAPTER VIII.; title: HENRIETTA DUPONT.; title: Her personal appearance and disposition. M. Dupont's desire that she should aspire to perfection. Her infant piety ; exemplified in one of her letters. M. Dupont's system of edu- cation. A nun's account of his behaviour at Saint-Servan ; his practice of picking up pins. Henriette's love of pleasure ; she takes the part of Athalie in Racine's drama. Her father's anxiety regarding her future. His desire that she should have a religious vocation. A white rabbit. A proposal of marriage. He will not let his daughter go to the play. His heroic act of sacrifice. Henriette is seized with a fatal malady. Her love for our Lord ; the world no hold on her soul. Signs of her non-recovery. M. Dupont's commissions to his dying child. His final recommendations. Spectacle of a true Christian. His supernatural joy; he recites the Magnificat on his daughter expiring. A momentary weakness. Emblem of the Divine Gardener. Mme. de Lignac's dream ; M. Dupont's happy thought. Henriette's grave. The holy man's strong natural affections. He enters on a new phase of life page 113; title: CHAPTER IX.; title: VARIOUS WORKS OF CHARITY.; title: The Little Sisters of the Poor. M. Dupont's efforts to establish them at Tours. Hesitation of the Archbishop; his conditional sanction taken for an absolute one. All difficulties removed. M. Dupont's generosity to the Sisters and their charges. He devotes his daughter's dowry to providing them a larger house. M. Bordier's legacy ; applied to founding a Society of missionaries for country districts. A thousand acts of praise. M. Dupont's services to the sick poor. He visits the prisons. His heroic patience and charity to a most repulsive object. Left in charge of a horse. His liberal alms-deeds. Conversion of an Irish Protestant ; M. Dupont's sympathy and thoughtful kindness. St. Patrick's hawthorn page 136; title: CHAPTER X; title: THE NOCTURNAL ADORATION.; title: Mile. Dubouche; her vision of the Holy Face. She paints a picture of It. Copy sent to the Carmel at Tours. The picture exposed in the Carmelite convent at Paris during the troubles of 1848. Association of reparation ; exposition of the Blessed Sacrament. Mile. Dubouche is moved to found a community of women for reparative adoration. She establishes a nocturnal adoration of the Most Holy. Pere Hermann does the same for men. M. Dupont seizes the idea, and commences the Nocturnal Adoration at Tours. His first recruits from the working classes ; his account of the order observed. His apostolic zeal and fervour. He engages men of all grades and professions, and brings them to confession and communion. A remarkable conversion. A signal answer to prayer. A trick of Satan defeated. An evil negotiation frustrated. The Adoration a glorious standard of battle. M. Dupont procures its establishment in various places ; his pious intermediaries. His description of a sleeping worshipper. He longs to see the Adoration perpetual and universal page 151; title: CHAPTER XI.; title: THE RUINED BASILICA OF ST. MARTIN.; title: Devotion to St. Martin revived on outbreak of cholera. Mortality in the Penitentiary. Devoted charity of Mgr. Morlot. Procession with relics of SS. Martin and Gatien. Restoration of the sanctuaries of Marmoutiers and Laguge. The Commission of the Vestiary; M. Dupont chosen president. Restoration of the Church of St. Julien. Mgr. Guibert proposes to give it to St. Martin. The proposal distasteful to M. Dupont and the Commission. The Basilica only partially destroyed in 1793. Its demolition completed four years later ; a street carried through its site ; the tomb of the Saint providentially spared. A plan of the ground discovered; the tomb under a group of houses. The Archbishop abandons his design. The houses secured. A significant iron chandelier page 168; title: CHAPTER XII.; title: DISCOVERY OF ST. MARTIN'S TOMB.; title: Uncertainties and delays ; M. Dupont has recourse to prayer and pilgrimages. The Archbishop reluctant to engage in recontructing the Basilica. Mgr. Pie's apostrophe to him in the cathedral. A memorial and petition favourably received. Numerous pilgrimages. The Archbishop resolves on restoring the Saint's tomb. M. Dupont full of hope. A basso-relievo and its inscription. The axis of the Basilica ascertained; heavenly music heard. A provisional oratory constructed and Mass said therein. Crowds attend. An important document found. Excavations begun ; a successful result ; the Magnificat intoned. Proofs of the tomb being discovered. How it escaped the fury of the Huguenots. How it was saved from destruction when the houses were built. Satan's threat and St. Martin's confidence exemplified page 178; title: CHAPTER XIII.; title: PROJECTS OF RECONSTRUCTION.; title: The reconstruction of the Basilica favoured by the town authorities. Mgr. Guibert puts forth a pastoral on the subject and appoints a special commission. Opposition of the Prefect ; hostility of the local press. The Archbishop firm in his resolve. The Pope blesses the undertaking. Funds rapidly accumulate. The municipal council persists in its decision. Question of a compromise ; to which the Archbishop inclines. A chapel replaces the oratory. Purchase of the whole block of houses. The municipality becomes inimical. A plan of the proposed Basilica drawn up. M. Dupont the originator of the undertaking. His great object reparation page 196; title: CHAPTER XIV,; title: SATAN.; title: Hatred of the devil one of M. Dupont's characteristics. The spirit of the Revolution Satanic in his eyes. His faith in the power of holy water. Satan's influence on the press. M. Dupont desires to see him unmasked. Takes a pleasure in vexing the "old one." His Satan not Milton's Satan. He treats the arch-enemy with contempt and derision. His conflicts with the evil one. Testimony of the Cure" of Neronde. Love torture to the fiend page 206; title: CHAPTER XV.; title: HOLY SCRIPTURE.; title: M. Dupont's knowledge and love of the Bible. His mode of exposition. His felicitous applications to current events. His insight into the sense of difficult passages. This gift a matter of general wonder and admiration. Remarkable testimony of the Bishop of Mans. Certain passages in the Old Testament special objects of interest to him. Nabuchodonosor's conversion a striking example of the Divine mercy. Description of M. Dupont's reading the king's words. Heliodorus another imposing figure in his eyes. His delight in the typical characters. He exhorts a friend to pray to Job. Keeps a lamp ever burning before the Bible. It still has its light before it page 215; title: CHAPTER XVI.; title: COMMENCEMENT OF THE CULTUS OF THE HOLY FACE, FROM 1851 TO 1856.; title: M. Dupont the great adorer of the Holy Face. Extracts from Sister Marie de Saint-Pierre's revelations. Passages with which the holy man was particularly charmed. The one that made a profound impression on his mind. Copies of St. Veronica's Veil. A miraculous fact connected with its exposition at Home. M. Dupont burns a lamp before it. His rule with visitors. A commercial traveller. The first miraculous cure operated. Cure of a lame man. Prodigies multiplied; increasing crowds. Conversions effected. The holy man " nailed " to the picture of the Holy Face. Cases of cancer. Cure of a doctor in the last stage of consumption. Prints of the Holy Face distributed in vast quantities ; also of phials of the oil from the lamp. Cure of a lame old man ; and of a crippled child. Restoration of a disabled hand. Conversion of a chance visitor. Abbot Sweeney's account of his interview with M. Dupont page 226; title: CHAPTER XVII.; title: SECOND PERIOD OF THE CULTUS OF THE HOLY FACE, FROM 1856 TO 1860.; title: Reparation M. Dupont 's dominant idea. He keeps no register of cures, only attestations. His repugnance to publicity through circulars and books ; instance of this. He repudiates all personal share in the miracles ; attributes them to the faith and prayers of the applicants. Accumulation of certificates. Wonderful cure of a humpbacked girl. Instantaneous cure wrought at a distance. A lady cured of squinting; conversion of her brother. A priest recovers the use of his voice. M. Dupont's collection of sticks and crutches. His servant Zephyrin's testimony to the cure of a young girl. An old umbrella : how it came among the memorials. Inundation of the Loire stayed by M. Dupont. His exertions on behalf of the sufferers. Failing health; he visits the baths of Neris. Increase of his malady; the oil ineffectual in his case. He takes the waters of the Bourbonnais. Cure of a clubfooted girl. M. Dupont's filial piety. Death of his mother; description of her last moments. Her memory replete with consolation page 247; title: CHAPTER XVIII.; title: M. DUPONT'S KINDNESS AND LOVE OF HIS FRIENDS.; title: Kindness not synonymous with charity. The most godlike of natural virtues. M. Dupont's kindness to a drunken soldier. His geniality and hospitality. His "taming power " exercised in the case of a morose child ; also in that of an unamiable deformed creature. His affection for his birthplace. His delicate attentions and obliging acts. Sulphurous cupping-glasses. His famous haricot beans. Numerous godchildren. Gentleness to the sick and infirm; generosity to workmen. M. Dupont's kindness animated by supernatural motives page 267; title: CHAPTER XIX.; title: THE THIRD PERIOD OF THE CULTUS OF THE HOLY FACE, FROM 1860 TO 1870.; title: M. Dupont's life spent before the Holy Face; his unceasing toils. His growing infirmities. Constant influx of visitors. Description of the holy man at this time. Instances of failure and relapse ; case of Mgr. Segur. M. Dupont (quick to discern symptoms of distrust. His success in exciting faith in the applicants. Cure of an unconscious patient. Ungrateful neglect in sending attestations. Fractured skull miraculously healed. Diminution in number of pilgrims. Resort to Lourdes one cause of this page 279; title: CHAPTER XX.; title: LOURDES.; title: Apparitions of Lourdes and La Salette contrasted. M. Dupont's reading of the future. His joy at the erection of the Church of Notre Dame at Lourdes. Recommends her invocation with success. Cure of a Little Sister by the same means ; also of a postulant who had concealed her maladies. M. Henri Lasserre in peril of losing his sight. He visits Pere Gratry at Tours. Account of his interview with M. Dupont. His reluctance to apply the oil; the: anointings of no avail. He returns to Paris ; sudden and complete relief. Picture of the Holy Face in the crypt of the Lourdes Basilica page 291; title: CHAPTER XXI.; title: M. DUPONT'S LOVE OF HOLY CHURCH.; title: His confidence in the triumph of the Church. His joy at the definition of the Immaculate Conception; and at the conversions going on in England. His love and admiration of Pius IX. ; enthusiasm about the French Zouaves. His interest in religious questions. He takes no part in political and departmental concerns. Is consulted by literary men. His gift of detecting error. Voltaire and Rousseau's potatoes. His "Thoughts on the Love of God;" extracts therefrom. His writings aim only at the glory of God and the salvation of souls page 304; title: CHAPTER XXII.; title: THE THEOLOGICAL VIRTUES EMINENT IN M. DUPONT.; title: A period of trial. Faith M. Dupont's dominant virtue ; the form it took peculiar. Its purity and simplicity. M. Dupont's serenity of mind attributable thereto. The friend of God ; intense realisation of His presence. His view of the Santiago catastrophe. An outbreak at dinner. His respect for priests. His imperturbable hope. Discussion on confidence in prayer. Implicit reliance on our Lord's promises. Trust in His boundless compassion. Use of supernatural means to obtain bodily cures. Custom of looking at things on their supernatural side. Close union with our Lord. Conversation only on God. Zeal for souls. A disappointment. A night with M. Dupont in a diligence. The friend of sinners. His readiness to excuse faults in others ; a striking instance of this. His dislike of personal remarks page 314; title: CHAPTER XXIII.; title: M. DUPONT'S HUMILITY AND LOVE OF MORTIFICATION.; title: The value he set on little things. A way he proposed for acquiring detachment. His contempt of himself. His horror of self-display. Strange addresses on his letters. He courts obscurity; how he escaped from an archiepiscopal dinner. His displeasure at being lauded or complimented. Mme. Viot-Otter's bit of banter. M. Dupont loves a remote corner in church. Refuses to receive contributions. True and false humility. M. Dupont's freedom from self-love. Repugnance to the social self. Cheerfulness with him a duty. Value of bodily mortification. He gives up taking snuff. Conceals his greater austerities. Corporal chastisement a remedy against sadness. M. Dupont's life one act of penance. Conquest of natural temperament page 332; title: CHAPTER XXIV.; title: M. DUPONT'S SPECIAL DEVOTIONS.; title: His unceasing prayer ; trust in the intervention of Mary. Connection between St. Gertrude's revelations and those of B. Margaret Mary. M. Dupont's Litany of Pilgrimages. Veneration of Our Lady of Miracles. Devotion to St. Joseph ; novena for a wild boar. Devotion to St. Teresa. He is drawn to St. Gertrude by the cultus of the Sacred Heart. Pays special honour to St. Leo the Great. St. Michael and the Dragon. Devotion to St. Anthony of Padua : curious case of lost luggage. The Saint's help in recovering lost graces. M. Dupont's confidence in St. Francis of Assisi. Devotion to St. Monica, St. Philomena, and all local patrons. Homage to St Francis of Paula. Invocation of the saints of the Old Law. Confidence in the angel guardians ; a singular incident. Instances of their protecting care. Their intervention in spiritual friendships. Scripture testimonies to angelic aid. Devotion to the souls in Purgatory. Death ever present to his mind. Pious practice on hearing of a friend's decease. Tender charity to the dead page 348; title: CHAPTER XXV.; title: LAST YEARS OF M. DUPONT.; title: The influence he exercised far and near. His relations with holy persons. His supernatural insight into the state of souls ; an instance of this. Advice to a stranger confirmed by her direction. Extraordinary graces accorded to his prayers; case of an aged lady. Remarkable conversion of an irreligious couple. Effect of a drop of the holy oil in converting a sinner. Terror caused by beholding a miracle. Age and infirmities ; trials occasioned by the Franco-Prussian war. Banner of the Sacred Heart. Occupation of Tours. M. Dupont composes " Litanies of the Saints of Paris." His hope of salvation for France, and of the triumph of the Church. Manifestations of Catholic faith. Days of isolation and suffering. Failure of faculties. Report of a guest thereon. Cure of a lame man. M. Dupont's humility tested. His estimation of Louise Lateau. Meetings of the Vestiary at his house. Necessity of relinquishing his charitable visits. Exception in favour of the Little Sisters. The salon no longer his bedroom. Crippled state of his hands. page 367; title: CHAPTER XXVI.; title: LAST ILLNESS AND DEATH.; title: Deprivation of Mass and Communion. M. Dupont's consequent distress. His mode of making a spiritual communion. St. Edmund's prayer. M. Dupont's exhortations to his servants. Reverence for the poor. Love of the young; story of a schoolboy. Familiar ways with children. B. Margaret Mary's nut-tree. His forced retirement. Description of a Christian's room. Seals removed from Sister Saint-Pierre's writings; M. Dupont's joy thereat. His Viaticum. Days of intense suffering. Assaults of the evil one. M. Dupont's serenity and patience. Adieux of his servants. His peaceful death. Concourse round his body. His funeral a religious triumph. His tomb. No true portrait of the holy man page 389; title: CHAPTER XXVII.; title: THE MAN AND HIS CRITICS.; title: M. Dupont's face and figure. His expressive gestures. Attire and gait. Cheerfulness cultivated on principle. Appellation of "the holy man." Falsely reproached with exaggeration. His enthusiasm ; of what kind it was. Parallel results in the natural order. Visit of two unbelievers ; protest of an aged peasant. Over-hopefulness no fault. M. Dupont's constant reference to the supernatural. His Christian prudence and sound judgment. His reputation grounded on his solid merits page 409; title: CHAPTER XXVIII.; title: THE WORK OF THE HOLY FACE.; title: M. Dupont's will. His house purchased by the Carmelite nuns. His oratory converted into a chapel. Description of its interior. The Archbishop says the first Mass. Erection of the Confraternity of Reparation; its distinctive character. Institution of the Priests of the Holy Face. The objects to which they are devoted. Tokens of the Divine favour. Experience of supernatural influences. Popular devotion to the holy man. Instances of recent cures. Testimony of a correspondent of the "Weekly Register." Rapid extension of the cultus of the Holy Face. Its importance as regards the future. Touching words of the Bishop of Grenoble page 421; title: Death of Adele page 440; title: The Litanies of the Holy Face page 443; title: Prayer of Pope Pius IX., and Aspiration of Sister Saint Pierre page 447