Brotherhood of Charitable of Saint-Éloi

The Confrérie of Charitable of Saint-Éloi is a French organization, now laic, area of Béthune (Département of the Pas-de-Calais) founded in 1188 at the time of a great epidemic of Peste, always active and ensuring in particular the service of the Enterrement s.
Its members are placed under the protection of Saint Eloi which reassured them: “The plague will not approach you, nor even of your residences! ”. The legend wants that, since its origin, this protection always safeguarded the Charitable ones and their family. The currency of the brotherhood is: " Exactitude Charité" Union;.

It is probably the oldest civil associative movement of France and perhaps of Europe.

History of the foundation

In 1188, an epidemic of Peste devastates the Artois and the Flandres. By fear of the contagion, nobody wishes neither to look after the patients, nor to bury deaths. The inhabitants pile up in the churches and request the local guard, Saint Eloi, last recourse imagined to stop the progression of the disease. At this point in time two marshal-shoeing, Gautier and Germon, respectively inhabitant of Béthune and Beuvry, see appearing holy Éloi in their dream. He asks them to meet with the source of Quinty, located at the limit of the two communes, the day of the holy Matthieu (on September 21st) in order to found a “shea tree” (charity or brotherhood).

The brotherhood of charitable of Saint-Eloi is then founded thanks to the support of Robert V of Béthune and the Rogon monk. She gives the responsability herself to give bread to the poor, care with the patients, to comfort dying them, to bury deaths and to give them a burial. Gautier and Germon are supported soon by inhabitants of the two cities and although the plague disappears thanks to their action, Karitaules decide to continue their mission.

At the 13th century, the charitable ones decide to build, close to the source of Quinty, the Saint-Éloi vault of the Fields. This monument will see accommodating, with the wire of the centuries, of many pilgrims, come not only from France but also from all Europe.

During the Revolution, the brotherhood was officially dissolved the 15 fructidor of the year V (in 1797), but continued her action in clandestinity until the 20 Floral one of the year X (1802) where it was again authorized.

September 21st, 1853, the bishop of Arras, monseigneur Parisis, request with the brotherhood to subject to the supervision Church or to dissolve. She refuses and becomes, consequently, layman.

Habits of the brotherhood

The procession with naviaux takes place each year, in September, Sunday following the Saint-Mathieu, with the Quinty Park with Beuvry, place of the original meeting of Albacore and Gautier, the two founders of the Charitable ones. The name, naviaux, of this ceremony, means turnips. Indeed, the Charitable ones used these vegetables to be protected from the diseases. Moreover, they carry at the time of this ceremony a decorated white rod of a bouquet of Thym (medicinal plant charged to move away the microbes), of Buis (that blessed with the Rameaux) and flowers (of which the perfume must dissipate the odors).

In June, the brotherhood organizes a distribution of bread rolls named the search of the small shots .

Recognitions

The Charitable ones received the support of the king Louis XIV, of the presidents of the Republic Sadi Carnot, Raymond Poincaré, Albert Lebrun, Vincent Auriol, of the president of the Council Georges Clémenceau, the president of the Senate Alain Poher, and of the chief of the Régime of Vichy, Philippe Pétain.

They also received Indulgences of the popes Gregoire XIII, Clément VIII, Urbain VIII and letters of Pie XII and Jean-Paul II.

The Brotherhood of Charitable also received several Civic Crowns and Medals of Honor of the National company of encouragement to the Good.

For their devotion at the time of the First World War, the Charitable ones were quoted with the Order of the Army on February 9th, 1917, the Order of the Nation on October 24th, 1918, receipt a letter of congratulations of the Minister of Interior Department on April 8th, 1921 and the medal of the French Recognition on January 4th, 1938.

Current operation

The Brotherhood is structured in several specific associations law 1901 to each commune or each district.

Surface of action

Confraternelles associations of Charitable currently officiate in the following communes:

Although all inspired by the same movement some do not refer any more to Saint Eloi in their name. In certain villages, it can even exist concurrent associations.

See too

Brotherhood of charity

Random links:

The Theory Apex | Albin Chalandon | End | Gaston Therrien | Stolen Children