Blessed Jacques of Vicoigne
A religious novice at the monastery of Vicoigne in the 13th century, Jacques died prematurely in 1279 after an ecstasy in which he saw his place among the choirs of virgins. His body was found perfectly intact three years later during the construction of a new church. He is honored for his purity and virginal fervor.
Contemporaries
Figures and markers around the normalized period for this entry.
Guided reading
4 reading sections
BLESSED JACQUES DE VICOIGNE (1279).
Spiritual Portrait
Jacques is presented as a pure and innocent soul, drawn from a young age toward the contemplative life and recollection.
A pure and innocent soul, whom God filled with the most abundant blessings, to whom He inspired early on the love of retreat and recollection, and whom He hastened to call to Himself in the heavens, such is, in a few words, the account of the life of Blessed Jacques, a religious of Vicoign e.
Novitiate and heavenly vision
During his novitiate, Jacques falls ill and receives a vision of his place in heaven among the virgins before dying in 1279.
He was still in the years of his novitiate and was preparing with admirable fervor to take his religious vows, when he was struck by a mortal illness. A few days before his passing, he was suddenly rapt in ecstasy; then, at the moment he returned to himself, signs of extraordinary joy were noticed on his features. The master of novices and others who were present, having asked him the cause, he answered them that he had seen in heaven his place prepared in the midst of the choirs of virgins. At the same time, he begged them to sing with him this invocation that he had so often repeated with his brothers: "Hail Mary; hope of the world." Almost at the same moment, the pious young man peacefully surrendered his soul to God, in the year 1279. Three years later, while working on the foundations of a new church at the monastery of Vicoigne, the virginal body of the holy religious was found still f resh and withou t corruption, alt hough the linen s in which he had been wrapped were spoiled. His face was so well preserved that one would have thought he was still breathing. God, no doubt, wished to manifest in this way the great purity of his servant and how much he cherishes chaste souls. The religious respectfully raised the body of their young and virtuous brother, enclosed it in a beautiful sepulcher, and deposited it in their new church, where it has since received the tributes of their respect and love.
Incorruption and translation
Three years after his death, his body was discovered intact during construction work, which led to his solemn transfer to a new church.
Fr. Destombes.
Source
The text is attributed to Abbé Destombes.
Abbé Destombes.
Iconography
Signs and attributes
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 Blessed Jacques of Vicoigne
Frequently asked questions about Blessed Jacques of Vicoigne
Who was Blessed Jacques of Vicoigne?
A religious novice at the monastery of Vicoigne in the 13th century, Jacques died prematurely in 1279 after an ecstasy in which he saw his place among the choirs of virgins. His body was found perfectly intact three years later during the construction of a new church. He is honored for his purity and virginal fervor.
How is Blessed Jacques of Vicoigne depicted in Christian art?
In iconography, Blessed Jacques of Vicoigne is recognizable by: incorrupt body and religious habit.
What miracles are attributed to Blessed Jacques of Vicoigne?
2 miracles are attributed to this saint, notably: Vision / apparition and Incorruptibility.
Which saints were contemporaries of Blessed Jacques of Vicoigne?
Contemporaries include: Saint Anthony of Padua (Ferdinand), Saint Arthaud of Belley, Saint Thomas Aquinas and Saint Bernard of Clairvaux.
When did Blessed Jacques of Vicoigne die?
Blessed Jacques of Vicoigne died around 1300.
Annexes & related entities
Structured data for exploration: events, miracles, quotes, places, attributes, patronages, and important entities cited in the text.
Key Events
- Entered the novitiate at Vicoigne Monastery
- Fatal illness during novitiate
- Mystical ecstasy before his death
- Died in 1279
- Discovery of his intact body three years after his death during construction work
Quotes
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Hail Mary; hope of the world
Invocation repeated by the blessed