by Archbishop Joseph F. Naumann
My favorite musical of the last several decades is “Les Miserables.” The music is beautiful and inspiring.
The plot is one of heroic love and redemption. However, one of the reasons that I love “Les Miserables” is because, among all of the popular contemporary theater productions, it is the only one that features a heroic bishop.
The musical is, of course, based on a historical novel written by Victor Hugo. It is considered Hugo’s masterpiece and one of the great works of French literature.
Jean Valjean, the hero, was imprisoned as a young man for stealing a loaf of bread to help the poor. His sentence is extended several times because of his attempts to escape. When he finally has served his time and is freed, because of the stigma of being an ex-convict, there is little opportunity for him to make a decent living.
Homeless, angry and embittered, Jean Valjean is welcomed into the home of the local bishop, who invites him to share a meal and to sleep the night in the house. In the middle of the night, Valjean steals the bishop’s silverware and flees. Appearing suspicious, Valjean is apprehended by the police, who discover in his possession the bishop’s silverware.
The police arrest Valjean. Before imprisoning him, they force him to return the stolen silverware to the bishop. To the surprise of Valjean and the police, the bishop is overjoyed by Valjean’s return. Instead of wishing to prosecute Valjean, the bishop is happy to give him two valuable silver candlesticks. The bishop confides to the police that their prisoner had neglected to take these valuable gifts with him.
Once the police release Valjean, the bishop encourages him to be grateful to God for his good fortune. The bishop challenges Valjean to take advantage of this financial windfall to make something of his life and to help others. The experience of the bishop’s mercy transforms Jean Valjean’s life.
He used the money from selling the bishop’s silver to establish a successful business and is actually elected mayor. Heeding the bishop’s admonition, Jean Valjean became a heroic figure, showing great compassion and generosity to the less fortunate.
Victor Hugo based his fictional episcopal character on Bishop Charles de Miollis, who was well known for his kindness and compassion for the poor. He was ordained a priest in 1777. At the time of the French Revolution, Father de Miollis refused to take the oath of obedience to the government. By 1792, Father de Miollis was forced to flee to Italy. After spending almost a decade in exile, Father de Miollis was able to return to France.
In 1805, Father de Miollis was ordained a bishop. He continued to live very simply. The new bishop dressed in the same material that was customarily worn by the poor. Annually, Bishop de Miollis gave three-quarters of his salary to assist the poor. The humble bishop had a complete detachment from earthly possessions.
Bishop de Miollis was conscientious about making regular pastoral visits to the parishes in his diocese. In addition to encouraging parish missions, the bishop himself preached several such retreats. Bishop de Miollis’ concern for eliminating spiritual poverty among his parishioners motivated him to be tireless in preaching the Gospel and assisting his people to develop a rich prayer life.
His biographer said that Bishop de Miollis considered anything not given to the poor to be theft. He practiced a life of renunciation and simplicity. The depiction of the bishop of “Les Miserables” was entirely consistent with the virtuous life of Bishop Charles de Miollis.
If you have never seen the stage production of “Les Miserables,” I encourage adults to view the movie version. Unfortunately, because of scenes depicting immorality caused in part by the desperation fostered from material poverty, I do not recommend it for youth.
Please pray for me that I may strive to imitate the heroic virtue of this saintly bishop. His cause for beatification has been introduced. In the official prayer for his beatification we find: “Like a good shepherd, he courageously traveled his diocese, reaching out to everyone, especially to the poorest and most vulnerable.”
Pray for me that I may become more and more a shepherd after the example of the Good Shepherd.
