Carthusian Saints (PDF) - Charterhouse of the Transfiguration

5.
BLESSED BONIFACE OF SAVOY
- FRANCE -
(JULY 14, 1272)
Blessed Boniface is usually
included among the Carthusian
Saints, although his ties to our
Order are rather questionable.
He belonged to the princely
House of Savoy, and in point of
fact his tomb is among the
‘royal tombs’ of that House at
the abbey of Hautecombe in Savoie,
France. He is believed to
have been for some time a novice
in our Order, at the Grande
Chartreuse. But not for long!
Because of his reputation and
capabilities he had to leave the
peace of the novitiate to become Bishop of Belley in 1234. He left the
Mother house “in tears”. From Belley he was asked to go to the more
important see of Valence, also in Southeastern France. Finally Queen
Eleanor of England, his close relative, obtained that he be named
Archbishop of Canterbury. (1) He remained there for about twentyfive
years. He died during a visit to his native Savoy. In 1838 the family
of the princely House obtained from Gregory XVI the recognition
of his reputation for holiness, because of the miracles that took place
after his death. The Order remembers him, with its other Saints, on
October 13.
Prayer
Lord, You saw fit to make Boniface an example of pastoral
zeal and love. With his help, may we in our solitude
contribute towards the salvation of souls.
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