Blessed Bertrand of Grandselve

Among the stars of Cîteaux, historians say, Bertrand shone as one of the most magnificent luminaries. He spent the first years of his religious life in the monastery of T uscon (in the prese nt-day departm ent of Charente). His sole study was to meditate upon the pages of the holy Gospel and to increase the treasure of his virtues each day. Upon pronouncing the holy name of Jesus, he could not restrain his tears, and thus he obtained the most extraordinary graces: he saw the Virgin Mary severa l times, and Jesus Christ himself appeared to him, walking through the church during the singing of Vespers, when the psalm *In exitu* was being recited.

Having become Abbot of Grandselve, he soon regretted the silence and solitude of his first monastery, to the point that he withdrew from the abbey for two years, not wishing to retain his new dignity; but God made him understand that He would assist him in the direction of his house and that He would support him in the midst of his labors and sorrows. The holy abbot gave the example of all virtues; a model of purity, meekness, and mortification, he was charitable to all, humble in his heart, strong in adversity, and incomparable in his ingenuousness; he always showed himself to be a friend of God. He had a particular and affectionate care for the sick and the infirm, to whom he rendered all kinds of services. He did not show himself useful only to his house, but the neighborhood of the abbey and the entire province felt the benefits of his virtues and his holiness.

God often rewarded him with marvelous visions. The Savior appeared to him in glory during the Holy Mass, at the sacred words of consecration and the breaking of the host. Bertrand himself confessed that, while walking, when he raised his eyes to heaven to ask for mercy, he saw the glory of the elect and a great light descending upon him. When the moment of his death arrived (July 11, 1149), another abbot of the same Order, but from a very distant land, came to Grandselve to pay him his final respects. Upon his arrival, the Saint said to him: "The Lord sends you for my burial." Meanwhile, the religious were around his bed; it was nearly midnight, and, after drawing his last breath, he opened his eyes and gazed with great sweetness upon his brothers, who were singing the Office of the Dead for him. Eleven days later, a religious saw him in heavenly glory, vested in the garments of the Mass, but with magnificent adornment, and singing the divine praises with sweetness.

We owe this entry to the kindness of the Rev. Fr. Carius of Toulouse. — Cf. Mabillo n, *Benedictine Annals*, vol. VI; * Acta Sanctorum *, October 23.