- Feb 5, 2002
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PARIS (OSV News) — If classical literature characters could become saints, France has a perfect example. The real bishop behind Victor Hugo’s famous Les Misérables character will likely be beatified. The French bishops, gathered in Lourdes Nov. 3-8 for their plenary assembly, voted in favor of opening the diocesan process for his beatification.
Bishop Bienvenu de Miollis (1753-1843) was the Bishop of Digne from 1805 to 1838 and an inspiration for Victor Hugo’s character Bishop Myriel in the novel Les Misérables, published in 1862.
Bishop Myriel was close to the poor and lived a sober life. He took in the main character, Jean Valjean, who had just been released from the penal colony. The next day, Valjean was recaptured by the police for stealing Bishop Myriel’s silverware. But the prelate pretended it was a gift, and in doing so, he saved Valjean from re-arrest. This gesture of mercy marked the beginning of a profound transformation of Valjean, which continued throughout the book. He remained attached to the memory of the bishop all his life.
Msgr. Emmanuel Gobillard became the bishop of Digne 217 years after Bishop de Miollis. His diocese lies in picturesque southern France, not far from Marseille and the border with Italy. “Many elements of the novel are based on real events,” he told OSV News. “The true story of Msgr. Miollis is quite similar to what Victor Hugo recounted.”
Continued below.
www.oursundayvisitor.com
Bishop Bienvenu de Miollis (1753-1843) was the Bishop of Digne from 1805 to 1838 and an inspiration for Victor Hugo’s character Bishop Myriel in the novel Les Misérables, published in 1862.
Bishop Myriel was close to the poor and lived a sober life. He took in the main character, Jean Valjean, who had just been released from the penal colony. The next day, Valjean was recaptured by the police for stealing Bishop Myriel’s silverware. But the prelate pretended it was a gift, and in doing so, he saved Valjean from re-arrest. This gesture of mercy marked the beginning of a profound transformation of Valjean, which continued throughout the book. He remained attached to the memory of the bishop all his life.
Msgr. Emmanuel Gobillard became the bishop of Digne 217 years after Bishop de Miollis. His diocese lies in picturesque southern France, not far from Marseille and the border with Italy. “Many elements of the novel are based on real events,” he told OSV News. “The true story of Msgr. Miollis is quite similar to what Victor Hugo recounted.”
A story that inspired Victor Hugo
Continued below.
The real bishop behind Les Misérables is on the path to sainthood
If classical literature characters could become saints, France has a perfect example. The real bishop behind Victor Hugo's famous Les Misérables character is likely to be beatified. The French bishops, gathered in Lourdes Nov. 3-8 for their plenary assembly, voted in favor of opening the...
www.oursundayvisitor.com
