Bl. Pierre de Castelnau

Pierre de Castelnau was born near Montpellier in southern France. He was archdeacon of Maguelonne and then became a Cistercian monk at Fontfroide, near Narbonne.

In 1203 Pope Innocent III made him his legate, or personal representative, to preach against the Albigensian (Cathar) movement in southern France. The work was very hard and he asked to return to his monastery. Innocent refused, writing that at this moment action was better than contemplation.

On January 15, 1208, the day after a stormy meeting with Count Raymond VI of Toulouse, he was killed with a spear as he prepared to cross the Rhône. According to the account, he looked at his killer and said, "May God forgive you as I forgive you." Innocent III soon declared him a martyr.

The Church has declared Pierre de Castelnau Blessed.

Beatification allows public veneration, usually in a particular region or religious family. Canonization extends it to the whole Church.