On July 8, 2014 our Holy Father, Francis,
authorised the Congregation for the Causes of Saints to
promulgate the Decree concerning the heroic virtues of the
Servant of God Joseph Augustus Arribat, a priest and professed
member of the Salesian Society of St John Bosco.
This step on the way to the beatification
and canonisation of this confrere of ours is a great gift for
our Congregation and the entire Salesian Family in this third
year of preparation for the bicentenary of Don Bosco's birth,
and in view of the journey we have undertaken with the 27th
General Chapter. It is worth taking a look at this figure of
the Salesian priest, an authentic disciple of Don Bosco's who
lived with a heart that radiated priestly holiness, filled
with kindness and self-effacement, a spirit of peace, an
ever-smiling, humble and welcoming countenance. Here is a true
“mystic of the spirit" whose very presence rather than his
words let us see that he was completely of God and for God; a
“prophet of fraternity”, and enemy of idle chatter for whom
charity was a way of life. He was a “servant of the young”,
determined not to be served but to serve, always in their
midst and available for the humblest of tasks. Here we have a
man of common sense, a happy religious, a successful Salesian,
a much sought-out confessor and wise spiritual guide.
Joseph Augustus Arribat was born on
December 17, 1879 at Trédou (Rouergue - France). His
family's poverty forced young Augustus to begin his secondary
schooling at the Salesian school in Marseilles when he was
already 18 years of age. Due to political circumstances at the
turn of the century, he began his Salesian life in Italy and
received his cassock from the hands of Blessed Michael Rua.
Returning to France he began his active Salesian life, along
with other confreres, in a semi-clandestine fashion, first in
Marseilles and then at La Navarre. He was ordained priest in
1912. He was called to arms during the First World War as a
medic and stretcher-bearer. After the war, Fr Arribat
continued to work at La Navarre until 1926, after which he
went to Nice where he remained until 1931. He returned to La
Navarre as Rector and at the same time was in charge of St
Isidore Parish in Sauvebonne Valley. He was known to the
parishioners as "the Saint of the Valley". At the end of his
third year there he was sent to Morges, in Vaud Canton,
Switzerland. He received three other mandates as Rector in the
years that followed, each a six year term, first at Millau,
then Villemur and finally Thonon in the diocese of Annecy. The
period of most danger and grace was probably when he was at
Villemur during the Second World War. Fr Arribat returned to
La Navarre in 1953, where he remained until his death on March
19, 1963.
His life was an embodiment of the Gospel
words: “I did not come to be served but to serve” (Mk 10:45).
He never refused any kind of work, and indeed sought out the
humblest of tasks. Because of his readiness to do cleaning
work, the novices used call him “the knight of the broom”. He
would watch over the sick at night time; during the war he
would give his room and bed to visiting confreres and spend
the night either on a sofa or in the chapel. Some miraculous
healings were attributed to him.
In all of his responsibilities, especially
as Rector for many years in various Houses, Father Arribat was
always the exemplary Salesian: always amidst the students in
the playground and at chapel, at catechism class and in the
infirmary; he went from dining room to chapel, from the
confessional to the garden, ever attentive to everyone and
everything. He showed extraordinary respect and wonderful
kindness to everyone, especially the poor and the least. He
watched over the House and was thought of as its “lightning
conductor”, like a new St Joseph. He had an open and smiling
countenance; this son of Don Bosco did not alienate anyone.
His gaunt frame and ascetic life reminded one of the Cure
d'Ars, while his kindness and smile were worthy of St Francis
de Sales. His spirituality was Christ-centred and notably
Marian, with special devotion to the Help of Christians.
This gift of his being declared Venerable
is a strong invitation to all confreres to be present amonst
young people with apostolic and educative passion, recognising
the action and fruits of the Spirit in them, sharing their
problems and suffering and calling down the light and strength
of the Spirit's presence on them.
For Rectors he is a model of fruitful
spiritual fatherliness combining communion and apostolic
ministry in attentive, generous charity and availability, and
the humble service of authority.
For all members of the Salesian Family he
is an intercessor who can pray for us that we may have the
grace of practising the preventive system today in a joyful
way, and with a spirit of sacrifice and service.
It is my hope that you will truly draw
inspiration from this example of Salesian holiness as you come
to appreciate his testimony, and by asking through his
intercession for the grace of the miracle which will lead to
his Beatification.
