Aubenas, Martyrs of, Bb.

views updated

AUBENAS, MARTYRS OF, BB.

Jesuits slain Feb. 7, 1593, by Huguenots in Aubenas, Diocese of Viviers, France. They were beatified June 6, 1926, and are honored as "Martyrs of the Eucharist." James Salès, b. Lezoux in Auvergne, March 21, 1556; studied at Billom and Paris. He entered the novitiate at Verdun and taught philosophy at Pont-à-Mousson and theology in Tournon. Ordained in 1585, he preached in Lorraine. In November of 1592 on the request of the mayor for a Jesuit to preach the Advent series, he was sent to Aubenas, recently retaken from the Huguenots. A lay brother, William Saultemouche, b. St. Germain d'Herm, Clermont, 1556, was his companion. On Feb. 6, 1593, the Huguenots attacked Aubenas and seized the Jesuits. Salès defended the faith at length before a court of Calvinists. When he refused to renounce articles of the faith, especially with regard to the Eucharist, he was shot, stabbed, and beaten. Saultemouche remained with him rather than attempt to escape. Their relics are in Avignon.

Feast: Feb. 7.

Bibliography: g. wagner, Catholicisme 1:100809. b. schneider, Lexikon für Theologie und Kirche, ed. j. hofer and k. rahner (Freiburg 195765) 1:1022.

[f. d. s. boran]

More From encyclopedia.com