Saint Desiderius of Thérouanne
Thirty-third bishop of Thérouanne in the 12th century, Didier was a zealous and respected prelate, advisor to popes and friend of the abbot of Clairvaux. He founded the Cistercian abbey of Blandecques in 1186 before retiring from his office three years before his death in 1194.
Contemporaries
Figures and markers around the normalized period for this entry.
Guided reading
4 reading sections
SAINT DIDIER, BISHOP OF THÉROUANNE (1194).
Origins and Episcopate
Son of Roger the Younger, Didier became the thirty-third bishop of Thérouanne, a diocese he led with zeal for more than thirty years.
Didier had as his fat her Roger the Younger, fourth of the castellans of Lille. He was the thirty-third bishop of Thérou anne, and governed this diocese with the greatest zeal from 1159 until 1191. In 1186, he founded the be autiful abbey of Blan decques, near Saint-Omer, for religious of the Cistercian Orde r. A miraculous image was venerated there for a very long time under the name of Our Lad y of Joy (Notre-Dame de Liesse). Didier enjoyed the holiest reputation, even during his lifetime. He had relations with the most distinguished figures in the Church, notably with the abbo t of C lairvaux, Gerard, who was killed in 1175. The sovereign pontiffs themselves entrusted him with special missions, and confided the most difficult litigious cases to his decisions. Didier died on January 20, 1194, three years after having resigned from his pastoral off ice. Ra isai n and M olanus had inscribed him in their sacred fasti on January 20, under the title of blessed.
Foundations and ecclesiastical influence
He founded the Cistercian abbey of Blandecques in 1186 and maintained close relations with the pontifical authorities and the Abbot of Clairvaux.
Notice provided by Mr. Van Driva l, director at the major seminary of A rras.
End of life and recognition
After his resignation in 1191, he died in 1194 and was inscribed as blessed in the sacred fasti by Raisain and Molanus.
Didier's father was Roger the Younger, the fourth of the castellans of Lille. He was the thirty-third bishop of Thérouanne, and governed this diocese with the greatest zeal from 1159 until 1191. In 1186, he founded the beautiful abbey of Blandecques, near Saint-Omer, for religious of the Cistercian Order. A miraculous image was venerated there for a very long time under the name of Our Lady of Joy (Notre-Dame de Liesse). Didier enjoyed the holiest reputation, even during his lifetime. He had relations with the most distinguished figures in the Church, notably with the abbot of Clairvaux, Gerard, who was killed in 1175. The sovereign pontiffs themselves entrusted him with special missions, and confided the most difficult litigious causes to his decisions. Didier died on January 20, 1194, three years after resigning from his pastoral office. Raisain and Molanus inscribed him in their sacred fasti on January 20, under the title of blessed.
Documentary sources
The biographical notice is derived from the works of M. Van Drival, director at the major seminary of Arras.
Notice provided by M. Van Drival, director at the major seminary of Arras.
Entities
Narrative network
The names, places, and concepts most present in the entry, weighted by centrality in the text.
The supernatural in their life
The miracles of Saint Desiderius of Thérouanne
Frequently asked questions about Saint Desiderius of Thérouanne
Who was Saint Desiderius of Thérouanne?
Thirty-third bishop of Thérouanne in the 12th century, Didier was a zealous and respected prelate, advisor to popes and friend of the abbot of Clairvaux. He founded the Cistercian abbey of Blandecques in 1186 before retiring from his office three years before his death in 1194.
What is Saint Desiderius of Thérouanne the patron saint of?
Patronage of Saint Desiderius of Thérouanne: Diocese of Thérouanne.
What miracles are attributed to Saint Desiderius of Thérouanne?
2 miracles are attributed to this saint, notably: Sign / wonder and Vision / apparition.
Which saints were contemporaries of Saint Desiderius of Thérouanne?
Contemporaries include: Saint Norbert of Magdeburg, Saint Bernard of Clairvaux, Saint Stephen of Hungary and Saint Arthaud of Belley.
When did Saint Desiderius of Thérouanne die?
Saint Desiderius of Thérouanne died around 1200.
Who are the relatives of Saint Desiderius of Thérouanne?
Relatives of Saint Desiderius of Thérouanne: Roger le Jeune (father).
Annexes & related entities
Structured data for exploration: events, miracles, quotes, places, attributes, patronages, and important entities cited in the text.
Key Events
- Election as the thirty-third bishop of Thérouanne in 1159
- Governance of the diocese until 1191
- Foundation of the Abbey of Blandecques in 1186
- Special missions entrusted by the Sovereign Pontiffs
- Resignation from his pastoral office in 1191
- Died on January 20, 1194