austraLasia #3469
RM: Fr Arribat declared Venerable
ROME: July 20, 2014 --
Dear confreres,
On July 8, 2014 our Holy Father, Francis, authorised the Congregation for the Causes of Saints to promulgate the Decree concerning the heroic virtues of the Servant of God Joseph Augustus Arribat, a priest and professed member of the Salesian Society of St John Bosco.
This step on the way to the beatification and canonisation of this confrere of ours is a great gift for our Congregation and the entire Salesian Family in this third year of preparation for the bicentenary of Don Bosco's birth, and in view of the journey we have undertaken with the 27th General Chapter. It is worth taking a look at this figure of the Salesian priest, an authentic disciple of Don Bosco's who lived with a heart that radiated priestly holiness, filled with kindness and self-effacement, a spirit of peace, an ever-smiling, humble and welcoming countenance. Here is a true “mystic of the spirit" whose very presence rather than his words let us see that he was completely of God and for God; a “prophet of fraternity”, and enemy of idle chatter for whom charity was a way of life. He was a “servant of the young”, determined not to be served but to serve, always in their midst and available for the humblest of tasks. Here we have a man of common sense, a happy religious, a successful Salesian, a much sought-out confessor and wise spiritual guide.
Joseph Augustus Arribat was born on December 17, 1879 at Trédou (Rouergue - France). His family's poverty forced young Augustus to begin his secondary schooling at the Salesian school in Marseilles when he was already 18 years of age. Due to political circumstances at the turn of the century, he began his Salesian life in Italy and received his cassock from the hands of Blessed Michael Rua. Returning to France he began his active Salesian life, along with other confreres, in a semi-clandestine fashion, first in Marseilles and then at La Navarre. He was ordained priest in 1912. He was called to arms during the First World War as a medic and stretcher-bearer. After the war, Fr Arribat continued to work at La Navarre until 1926, after which he went to Nice where he remained until 1931. He returned to La Navarre as Rector and at the same time was in charge of St Isidore Parish in Sauvebonne Valley. He was known to the parishioners as "the Saint of the Valley". At the end of his third year there he was sent to Morges, in Vaud Canton, Switzerland. He received three other mandates as Rector in the years that followed, each a six year term, first at Millau, then Villemur and finally Thonon in the diocese of Annecy. The period of most danger and grace was probably when he was at Villemur during the Second World War. Fr Arribat returned to La Navarre in 1953, where he remained until his death on March 19, 1963.
His life was an embodiment of the Gospel words: “I did not come to be served but to serve” (Mk 10:45). He never refused any kind of work, and indeed sought out the humblest of tasks. Because of his readiness to do cleaning work, the novices used call him “the knight of the broom”. He would watch over the sick at night time; during the war he would give his room and bed to visiting confreres and spend the night either on a sofa or in the chapel. Some miraculous healings were attributed to him.
In all of his responsibilities, especially as Rector for many years in various Houses, Father Arribat was always the exemplary Salesian: always amidst the students in the playground and at chapel, at catechism class and in the infirmary; he went from dining room to chapel, from the confessional to the garden, ever attentive to everyone and everything. He showed extraordinary respect and wonderful kindness to everyone, especially the poor and the least. He watched over the House and was thought of as its “lightning conductor”, like a new St Joseph. He had an open and smiling countenance; this son of Don Bosco did not alienate anyone. His gaunt frame and ascetic life reminded one of the Cure d'Ars, while his kindness and smile were worthy of St Francis de Sales. His spirituality was Christ-centred and notably Marian, with special devotion to the Help of Christians.
This gift of his being declared Venerable is a strong invitation to all confreres to be present amonst young people with apostolic and educative passion, recognising the action and fruits of the Spirit in them, sharing their problems and suffering and calling down the light and strength of the Spirit's presence on them.
For Rectors he is a model of fruitful spiritual fatherliness combining communion and apostolic ministry in attentive, generous charity and availability, and the humble service of authority.
For all members of the Salesian Family he is an intercessor who can pray for us that we may have the grace of practising the preventive system today in a joyful way, and with a spirit of sacrifice and service.
It is my hope that you will truly draw inspiration from this example of Salesian holiness as you come to appreciate his testimony, and by asking through his intercession for the grace of the miracle which will lead to his Beatification.
Rome, July 16, 2014
RM: Fr Arribat declared Venerable
Dear confreres,
On July 8, 2014 our Holy Father, Francis, authorised the Congregation for the Causes of Saints to promulgate the Decree concerning the heroic virtues of the Servant of God Joseph Augustus Arribat, a priest and professed member of the Salesian Society of St John Bosco.
This step on the way to the beatification and canonisation of this confrere of ours is a great gift for our Congregation and the entire Salesian Family in this third year of preparation for the bicentenary of Don Bosco's birth, and in view of the journey we have undertaken with the 27th General Chapter. It is worth taking a look at this figure of the Salesian priest, an authentic disciple of Don Bosco's who lived with a heart that radiated priestly holiness, filled with kindness and self-effacement, a spirit of peace, an ever-smiling, humble and welcoming countenance. Here is a true “mystic of the spirit" whose very presence rather than his words let us see that he was completely of God and for God; a “prophet of fraternity”, and enemy of idle chatter for whom charity was a way of life. He was a “servant of the young”, determined not to be served but to serve, always in their midst and available for the humblest of tasks. Here we have a man of common sense, a happy religious, a successful Salesian, a much sought-out confessor and wise spiritual guide.
Joseph Augustus Arribat was born on December 17, 1879 at Trédou (Rouergue - France). His family's poverty forced young Augustus to begin his secondary schooling at the Salesian school in Marseilles when he was already 18 years of age. Due to political circumstances at the turn of the century, he began his Salesian life in Italy and received his cassock from the hands of Blessed Michael Rua. Returning to France he began his active Salesian life, along with other confreres, in a semi-clandestine fashion, first in Marseilles and then at La Navarre. He was ordained priest in 1912. He was called to arms during the First World War as a medic and stretcher-bearer. After the war, Fr Arribat continued to work at La Navarre until 1926, after which he went to Nice where he remained until 1931. He returned to La Navarre as Rector and at the same time was in charge of St Isidore Parish in Sauvebonne Valley. He was known to the parishioners as "the Saint of the Valley". At the end of his third year there he was sent to Morges, in Vaud Canton, Switzerland. He received three other mandates as Rector in the years that followed, each a six year term, first at Millau, then Villemur and finally Thonon in the diocese of Annecy. The period of most danger and grace was probably when he was at Villemur during the Second World War. Fr Arribat returned to La Navarre in 1953, where he remained until his death on March 19, 1963.
His life was an embodiment of the Gospel words: “I did not come to be served but to serve” (Mk 10:45). He never refused any kind of work, and indeed sought out the humblest of tasks. Because of his readiness to do cleaning work, the novices used call him “the knight of the broom”. He would watch over the sick at night time; during the war he would give his room and bed to visiting confreres and spend the night either on a sofa or in the chapel. Some miraculous healings were attributed to him.
In all of his responsibilities, especially as Rector for many years in various Houses, Father Arribat was always the exemplary Salesian: always amidst the students in the playground and at chapel, at catechism class and in the infirmary; he went from dining room to chapel, from the confessional to the garden, ever attentive to everyone and everything. He showed extraordinary respect and wonderful kindness to everyone, especially the poor and the least. He watched over the House and was thought of as its “lightning conductor”, like a new St Joseph. He had an open and smiling countenance; this son of Don Bosco did not alienate anyone. His gaunt frame and ascetic life reminded one of the Cure d'Ars, while his kindness and smile were worthy of St Francis de Sales. His spirituality was Christ-centred and notably Marian, with special devotion to the Help of Christians.
This gift of his being declared Venerable is a strong invitation to all confreres to be present amonst young people with apostolic and educative passion, recognising the action and fruits of the Spirit in them, sharing their problems and suffering and calling down the light and strength of the Spirit's presence on them.
For Rectors he is a model of fruitful spiritual fatherliness combining communion and apostolic ministry in attentive, generous charity and availability, and the humble service of authority.
For all members of the Salesian Family he is an intercessor who can pray for us that we may have the grace of practising the preventive system today in a joyful way, and with a spirit of sacrifice and service.
It is my hope that you will truly draw inspiration from this example of Salesian holiness as you come to appreciate his testimony, and by asking through his intercession for the grace of the miracle which will lead to his Beatification.
Rome, July 16, 2014
