posted 07-16-2003 06:44 AM            

While poking around a French action site (thank you unregistered Susan) I came across this. My understanding of French is limited to just a few words. Am I understanding this correctly? Was this made by a goldsmith/silversmith, Armant-Caillat?

quote:

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Oeuvre d'Armant-Caillat orfèvre Lyon Châsse dans laquelle repose Bernadette Soubirous à Nevers

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Thanks

posted 07-16-2003 11:35 AM            

Bernadette died on 16th April 1879. Her body was buried in the small chapel dedicated to St.Joseph, within the convent grounds. In September of 1909, Bernadettes body was exhumed, as part of the process leading to her eventual canonisation. The hollowed-out tomb was extremely humid - her habit was very damp, the rosary held in her hands was rusted and her crucifix had turned green. Yet despite this, the body itself was perfectly preserved. Two further exhumations (in April 1919 and April 1925) were carried out. At the third , the skin was found to have discoloured slightly in places, due probably to exposure to the air following the forty-six years of burial. Because of this, the firm of Pierre Imans in Paris made light wax coverings for the face and hands. By June of 1925, the Cateland workshop in Lyon had finished the gilt and crystal reliquary which was to be the final resting place of the saint; the light wax masks were placed on the face and hands and the body was placed in the shrine. The same month, Pope Pius XI beatified Bernadette - she could now be called "Blessed" and her remains could be publicly venerated.

In August, the shrine was ceremonially placed in the main chapel of the convent, and the long line of pilgrims began to visit the convent. In 1933 Bernadette was declared a Saint - appropriately, this took place on December 8th, feast of the Immaculate Conception.

The Lady of Lourdes had kept the promise She made to Bernadette in 1858 - "I do not promise to make you happy in this world, but in the next".

posted 07-16-2003 11:45 AM            

ARMANT-CAILLAT (Louis)

Joseph Armand-Caillat, Orfèvre. 1862-1938. Macon 1940; plaquette in-8 brochée de 30 pages. 8 planches.

Référence : Bat-13790 en vente à : Librairie du Bât d'Argent - Lyon, France - 33+ 0.4 78 37 41 53

posted 07-17-2003 03:29 AM            

I loved seeing this post since St. Vincent de Paul and St. Catherine Labourè are displayed in amazing silver and glass caskets not far from here. I always wondered about the makers. I'm on a hunt to see if your Armant-Caillat made these too!

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Suzanne D

posted 07-17-2003 07:42 AM            

This did bring to mind a bunch of other questions but June wouldn't let me post them (too morbid ).

posted 07-17-2003 11:55 AM            

(I've done the Lourdes pilgramage, but did not get to Nevers. St. Catherine Labourè is looking pretty good in her châsse on Rue de Bac here. She's in the same situation as Bernadette... not preserved and hardly even looks sick!)

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Suzanne D