Joseph Cassant

A Cistercian Menology

Blessed Marie-Joseph Cassant 1878-1903

As a child, he was deeply impressed by the ceremonies of the liturgy and greatly desired to become a priest. As he had no aptitude for studies, he, upon the advice of his pastor, entered the monastery of Our Lady of the Desert. Physically weak and lacking the ability for work, he was prone to temptations to sadness and discouragement; but with the support of prayer and obedience, he overcame them and was never wanting in courage, always with a smile on his face. He rejoiced in the accomplishment of Jesus' will alone; he wished to have Jesus ever present to him and living within him. He died at the age of twenty-five after much suffering. His cause for beatification has been introduced at Rome.

DONE: The beatification was celebrated on October 3, 2004, Saint Peter's Square, Rome.

At the Nigh Office for Bl. Joseph Cassant we listened to the one of the documents on the ocso.org Web-sight. It was the Letter of Blessed Joseph-Marie Cassant to his parents. 23 December 1902 / 24 May 1903). “Everything for the Heart of Jesus!”

In that short personal letter he refers to the Heart of Jesus seven times, to priest/priesthood three times, and to Mass/Sacrifice of the Mass twice.

In his last letter to his family, he wrote, “For such a long time we hoped against hope to be able to have the whole family together after my ordination so as to share the joy of being present and receiving Communion together at my first Mass. The good Lord heard our deepest wishes. It now remains to us to thank him and to enter more and more deeply into the greatness of the priesthood. Let us never dare to equate the Sacrifice of the Mass with earthly things.”

The same thoughts in his own personal act of consecration give indicate the clear focus of his understanding and dedication.

As a member of the Association of Victim Souls, Father Marie–Joseph prayed, and signed, an Act of Oblation that the rest of his life was to illustrate and consummate.

Ecce venio! Behold, I come, O good and gentlest Jesus, Divine Lamb perpetually immolated upon our altars for the salvation of the world. I want to unite myself to Thee, suffer with Thee, and immolate myself like Thee, in union with the Daughters of the Heart of Jesus. To this end I offer Thee the sorrows, humiliations, bitternesses, and crosses that Thy Providence hath sown beneath my feet. I offer them to Thee for the intentions for which Thy most sweet Heart offereth and immolateth Itself. May my feeble sacrifice return in a shower of blessings upon the Church, the Priesthood, my homeland, and poor sinners, my brethren! Deign Thou accept it by the hands of Mary Mediatrix and in union with the immolations of her Immaculate Heart. Amen.

A fresh look at Blessed Joseph Cassant OCSO.
A recent account of Joseph Cassant is to be found in the Vultus Christi Blogspot vultus.stblogs.org /2007/06/blessed_mariejoseph_cassant.html

Here Fr. Mark has done his homework. He succeeds in capturing the spirit of the period and spirituality and fervour of the Catholic Church in an ever more hostile political secular society.

The letter of Joseph Cassant to his parents, and the text of his act of consecration to the Sacred Heart, reveal the distinctive character of the faith and dedication he shared with, e.g., Saint Therese of Liseaux and so many others.

Two Quotes from Fr. Mark’s Vultus Christi Post of June 16, 2007

Quote: An Intercessor

Since 1903 more than 2200 persons from thirty different countries have attested to favours received through the intercession of Father Marie-Joseph. The catalogue of graces attributed to the young monk is impressive: conversions, reconciliations, cures, and comfort in uncertainties and doubts. My friend Father Jacob and I went in pilgrimage to his tomb in 1982 and prayed that both of us might become priests. I was ordained four years later.

Quote: A Victim–Priest

It is significant that Father Marie–Joseph belonged to the “Association of Victim Souls,” a movement of identification with the oblation of the Heart of Jesus, Priest and Victim. Saint Pius X (1835–1914), Blessed Charles de Foucauld (1858–1916), Blessed Columba Marmion (1858–1923), Blessed Jacob Kern (1897–1924), and Blessed Ildefonso Cardinal Schuster (1880–1954), were all members of the same Association. It was established by the Filles du Coeur de Jésus (Daughters of the Heart of Jesus) following the wishes of their foundress, Blessed Marie de Jésus Deluil–Martiny, after her death. As a member of the Association of Victim Souls, Father Marie–Joseph prayed, and signed, an Act of Oblation that the rest of his life was to illustrate and consummate.