Saint of the day: Blessed Daniel Brottier

Saint of the day, Blessed Daniel Brottier: Daniel has spent most of his life in the trenches, one way or another.

Born in France in 1876, Daniel was ordained a priest in 1899 and began his teaching career. This did not satisfy him for long. He wanted to use his zeal for the gospel far beyond the classroom. He joined the Missionary Congregation of the Holy Spirit, which sent him to Senegal, West Africa. After eight years there, his health was suffering. Forced to return to France, where he helped raise funds for the construction of a new cathedral in Senegal.

At the outbreak of World War I, Daniel became a volunteer chaplain and spent four years at the front. He did not back down from his duties. Indeed, he risked his life over and over in ministry to the suffering and dying. It was miraculous that he did not suffer a single injury during his 52 months in the heart of the battle.

Saint of the day, Blessed Daniel Brottier: After the war he was invited to collaborate in the realization of a project for orphaned and abandoned children in a suburb of Paris. He spent the last 13 years of his life there. He died in 1936 and was beatified by Pope John Paul II in Paris only 48 years later.

Reflection: Blessed Daniel could be called "Teflon Dan" as nothing seemed to harm him during the war. God intended to use it in wonderful ways for the good of the Church, and he gladly served. He is a good example for all of us.

Sometimes the Lord makes the path taken by some souls so difficult, convinced that they are doing His will, that they are forced to leave it, despite their own predisposition and then become a giant in other fields. Such was the life of Blessed Daniele Alessio Brottier. From childhood he revealed a deep piety and a great devotion to Our Lady.