Blessed Louis-Zéphirin Moreau was a holy bishop who was close to his priests and was extremely charitable to the poor of his diocese.
Throughout the Church's history there have been numerous examples of bishops, priests, and religious who would spend themselves for the poor, often giving them their own possessions.
Such was the life of Bl. Louis-Zéphirin Moreau, a Canadian bishop who served the Diocese of Saint-Hyacinthe in the 19th century.
His life is an inspiring example of self-sacrifice and total love of the poor and most vulnerable of society.
Bishop of the poor
Born in the Canadian city of Bécancour, Moreau was raised in a farming family and eventually attended the Nicolet Seminary College to discern a call to the priesthood.
He was ordained a priest on December 19, 1846, and among his first duties was chaplain to l’Asile de la Providence, a hospice for the poor.
After a variety of positions, he was appointed bishop of Saint-Hyacinthe and took as his motto, "I can do all things through him who gives me strength."
According to the Canadian Bishops' website, "His charity brought him to spend his own salary and give his clothes to the poor. He was called 'holy' Bishop Moreau."
After his death in 1901, many revered him for his holiness and he was eventually beatified in 1987 by St. John Paul II.
During his homily, St. John Paul II highlighted his care for the poor and exemplary example of a holy bishop:
"Good Monsignor Moreau” knew how to give his attention to everyone on a daily basis.
He respected everyone, practiced the most concrete charity for the poor welcomed into his home. He loved visiting parishes and schools.
He was close to the priests whom he consulted, whom he stimulated in their action, in their spiritual life, in intellectual deepening, so that they would bring to Christians a catechesis illuminated by a faith understood and lived.
Bishop Moreau practiced what he preached and remains a model for all bishops to follow.