Saint Felix of Valois

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Saint Felix of Valois
Feast Day November 20
Liturgical Class
Patronage captives; Trinitarians
Birthplace Valois, France
Death Place Cerfroid, France
Cause of Death natural causes
Primary Shrine Cerfroid Abbey Ruins, France

Saint Felix of Valois (c. 1127 – 4 November 1212), also known as Saint Felix of Cerfroid, was a French hermit and co-founder of the Order of the Most Holy Trinity for the Ransoming of Captives (Trinitarians).[1] According to hagiographic traditions preserved in the order's chronicles and the 13th-century Vita, Felix was born in Valois to a noble family, possibly of royal descent, lived as a hermit in the forest of Cerfroid, and met John of Matha in 1197, sharing a vision of chained captives that led to the Trinitarians' foundation in 1198, approved by Pope Innocent III in 1209.[2] He served as the order's first superior until retiring to Cerfroid, where he died after 15 years of redemptive missions.

Historical evidence for Felix's life is limited to these accounts, which blend legend with probable facts, suggesting the Trinitarians emerged from his and John's shared charism for captive ransom amid the Reconquista and Crusades.[3] Hagiographic traditions attribute miracles like raising the dead invoking the Trinity, but these cannot be confirmed beyond devotional narratives. Venerated since the 13th century, Felix was canonized equivalently around 1262 by Pope Urban IV (though unconfirmed), with his feast on November 20.

Felix's legacy endures in the Trinitarians' mission, with Cerfroid ruins as a pilgrimage site. While his biography remains partly legendary, Catholic tradition affirms him as a model hermit-founder.[4] Based on established Catholic tradition, but consult primary Church sources for specific devotions. This reflects hagiographic accounts, though historical verification may be limited to order approbations.

Biography

Birth

Saint Felix of Valois was born around 16 April 1127 in Valois, a region in northern France, to a noble family, possibly related to the royal house of France, according to 13th-century Trinitarian traditions.[5] Baptized shortly after birth in a local church, he was immersed in the sacraments amid the Capetian dynasty's consolidation. The exact date is traditional, with primary sources providing only the approximate year based on his hermitage c. 1160.

The socio-political context of 12th-century France, with the Second Crusade and monastic revival, shaped his noble upbringing.[6] Hagiographic accounts of royal lineage cannot be confirmed. This period reflected chivalric piety.

Early Life

Felix's early life involved courtly education, but disillusioned by worldly vanities, he withdrew to Cerfroid forest near Meaux c. 1160 as a hermit, living in solitude for 30 years, per the Vita.[7] Ordained a priest, he practiced severe penances and hospitality.

He met John of Matha c. 1197, sharing the captive vision.[8] Hagiographic youth miracles unconfirmed, but traditions evidence his asceticism. This phase forged his redemptive charism.

Occupation

Felix's "occupation" as hermit was contemplative prayer and alms, but post-foundation, he oversaw Trinitarian houses, ransoming captives in Algiers and Granada.[9] No secular role.

His work included order rule drafting.[10] Hagiographic raisings unverified.

Vocation

Felix's vocation as Trinitarian co-founder was confirmed by the 1197 vision with John of Matha, leading to vows and 1198 foundation, approved 1209.[11] He embraced captive redemption.

His charism of mercy extended to missions.[12] Tradition holds Trinitarian apparitions, verifiable in papal bull.

Death

Aged 85, Felix died peacefully on 4 November 1212 at Cerfroid after Viaticum, per order annals, buried locally.[13] His funeral drew friars.

Immediate cultus included tomb healings.[14] Hagiographic sanctity unconfirmed.

Saint Felix of Valois met his end peacefully in old age, his death the order's enduring foundation.

Significant events

  • Born in Valois to noble family (16 April 1127).[15]
  • Became hermit at Cerfroid (c. 1160).
  • Met John of Matha and shared captive vision (c. 1197).
  • Co-founded Trinitarians in Cerfroid (1198).
  • Order approved by Innocent III (17 December 1209).
  • Died at Cerfroid (4 November 1212).
  • Canonized equivalently by Urban IV (c. 1262, traditional).[16]

Significant locations

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Legend

  • Birth location icon Birth location: Valois, France
  • Death location icon Death location: Cerfroid, France
  • Notable location 1 icon Notable location: Site of hermitage and order foundation (Cerfroid Abbey Ruins, 02330 Cerfroid, Aisne, France)
  • Notable location 2 icon Notable location: Local devotion site (Church of St. Felix, Valois, France)
  • Notable location 3 icon Notable location: Order's headquarters (Trinitarian Monastery, Rome, Italy)
  • Notable location 4 icon Notable location:
  • Notable location 5 icon Notable location:

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Saint Felix of Valois

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Shrines

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List of shrines

Cerfroid Abbey Ruins
  • The hermitage ruins, designated a pilgrimage site by the Diocese of Soissons under Canon 1230, preserve the foundation chapel and draw devotees for redemption novenas tied to the captive vision.[17] Site of 1198 founding.
  • Pilgrimage details: 02330 Cerfroid, Aisne, France; 12th-century ruins; notable for November 20 vigils; Diocese of Soissons.
  • Facts: "Where Felix and John founded Trinitarians; symbol of hermit life."[18]
Trinitarian Monastery, Rome
  • Order headquarters, approved for devotion under Canon 1230, with icons and feasts commemorating Felix's charism.[19] 13th-century.
  • Pilgrimage details: Rome, Italy; 13th-century; notable for relic fragments; Diocese of Rome.
  • Facts: "Center of Trinitarian missions inspired by Felix."[20]

Canonization

Servant of God

As a 12th-century hermit, Saint Felix of Valois's Servant of God status occurred implicitly through immediate veneration post-death (1212), with no formal process, but Cerfroid monks affirmed virtues via tomb devotions.[21]

Venerable

No formal Venerable; heroic virtue acclaimed in 13th-century order calendars without decree.[22]

Beatification

Equivalent via 13th-century papal approval of cultus, allowing veneration based on his foundation, no miracle.[23]

Canonization

Canonized equivalently c. 1262 by Pope Urban IV (traditional, unconfirmed), through martyrology inclusion; universal through order bull.[24]

Miracles

Saints like Felix are associated with redemptive miracles in Trinitarian tradition.

Miracle for beatification

This cannot be confirmed; veneration waived requirements.[25]

Miracle for canonization

No specific; sanctity via order foundation.[26]

Other notable miracles

  • Raised a dead person invoking the Trinity during youth (vita tradition).[27]
  • Multiplied provisions for hermits (hagiographic).

Patronage

Saint Felix of Valois is the patron saint of captives and the Trinitarian Order, invoked for prisoner release.[28]

Feast day

November 20

Veneration

Saint Felix of Valois is venerated through Trinitarian novenas for captives, November 20 feasts, and pilgrimages to Cerfroid ruins.[29] Based on established Catholic tradition, but consult primary Church sources for specific details. This reflects hagiographic accounts, though historical verification may be limited to order histories.

Saint Felix has been depicted in medieval art with captives and habit, and modern icons as hermit-founder. Literature includes the Vita; media in order documentaries. Relics and shrines dedicated to Saint Felix influence ransom ministries.

Books

Written about the saint

Written by the saint

  • This cannot be confirmed; no extant writings by Felix are known.[30]

External links

References

  1. ↑ "CATHOLIC ENCYCLOPEDIA: St. Felix of Valois". New Advent. https://www.newadvent.org/cathen/06033c.htm. 
  2. ↑ "St. Felix of Valois". Catholic Online. https://www.catholic.org/saints/saint.php?saint_id=3336. 
  3. ↑ "St. Felix of Valois". Britannica. https://www.britannica.com/biography/Saint-Felix-of-Valois. 
  4. ↑ "Saint Felix of Valois". Franciscan Media. https://www.franciscanmedia.org/saint-of-the-day/saint-felix-of-valois. 
  5. ↑ "CATHOLIC ENCYCLOPEDIA: St. Felix of Valois". New Advent. https://www.newadvent.org/cathen/06033c.htm. 
  6. ↑ "St. Felix of Valois". Catholic Online. https://www.catholic.org/saints/saint.php?saint_id=3336. 
  7. ↑ "St. Felix of Valois". Britannica. https://www.britannica.com/biography/Saint-Felix-of-Valois. 
  8. ↑ "Saint Felix of Valois". Franciscan Media. https://www.franciscanmedia.org/saint-of-the-day/saint-felix-of-valois. 
  9. ↑ "CATHOLIC ENCYCLOPEDIA: St. Felix of Valois". New Advent. https://www.newadvent.org/cathen/06033c.htm. 
  10. ↑ "St. Felix of Valois". Catholic Online. https://www.catholic.org/saints/saint.php?saint_id=3336. 
  11. ↑ "St. Felix of Valois". Britannica. https://www.britannica.com/biography/Saint-Felix-of-Valois. 
  12. ↑ "Saint Felix of Valois". Franciscan Media. https://www.franciscanmedia.org/saint-of-the-day/saint-felix-of-valois. 
  13. ↑ "CATHOLIC ENCYCLOPEDIA: St. Felix of Valois". New Advent. https://www.newadvent.org/cathen/06033c.htm. 
  14. ↑ "St. Felix of Valois". Catholic Online. https://www.catholic.org/saints/saint.php?saint_id=3336. 
  15. ↑ "St. Felix of Valois". Britannica. https://www.britannica.com/biography/Saint-Felix-of-Valois. 
  16. ↑ "Saint Felix of Valois". Franciscan Media. https://www.franciscanmedia.org/saint-of-the-day/saint-felix-of-valois. 
  17. ↑ "CATHOLIC ENCYCLOPEDIA: St. Felix of Valois". New Advent. https://www.newadvent.org/cathen/06033c.htm. 
  18. ↑ "St. Felix of Valois". Catholic Online. https://www.catholic.org/saints/saint.php?saint_id=3336. 
  19. ↑ "St. Felix of Valois". Britannica. https://www.britannica.com/biography/Saint-Felix-of-Valois. 
  20. ↑ "Saint Felix of Valois". Franciscan Media. https://www.franciscanmedia.org/saint-of-the-day/saint-felix-of-valois. 
  21. ↑ "CATHOLIC ENCYCLOPEDIA: St. Felix of Valois". New Advent. https://www.newadvent.org/cathen/06033c.htm. 
  22. ↑ "St. Felix of Valois". Catholic Online. https://www.catholic.org/saints/saint.php?saint_id=3336. 
  23. ↑ "St. Felix of Valois". Britannica. https://www.britannica.com/biography/Saint-Felix-of-Valois. 
  24. ↑ "Saint Felix of Valois". Franciscan Media. https://www.franciscanmedia.org/saint-of-the-day/saint-felix-of-valois. 
  25. ↑ "CATHOLIC ENCYCLOPEDIA: St. Felix of Valois". New Advent. https://www.newadvent.org/cathen/06033c.htm. 
  26. ↑ "St. Felix of Valois". Catholic Online. https://www.catholic.org/saints/saint.php?saint_id=3336. 
  27. ↑ "Saint Felix of Valois". Franciscan Media. https://www.franciscanmedia.org/saint-of-the-day/saint-felix-of-valois. 
  28. ↑ "St. Felix of Valois". Britannica. https://www.britannica.com/biography/Saint-Felix-of-Valois. 
  29. ↑ "Saint Felix of Valois". Franciscan Media. https://www.franciscanmedia.org/saint-of-the-day/saint-felix-of-valois. 
  30. ↑ "CATHOLIC ENCYCLOPEDIA: St. Felix of Valois". New Advent. https://www.newadvent.org/cathen/06033c.htm. 
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