Tags
Bishop, Cadiz, Chenango County, Don Quixote, Greene NY, Jean Guillaume deBesse, John Bessac, Montvalant, priesthood, Revolutionary War, St. Martin, vows
John Bessac was eighteen years of age and had already had experiences that other lads his age only dreamed of.
He had played on the hillsides above the Dordogne River in Montvalant. He had studied and mastered languages at the University of Cahors. Not only that but he had made a voyage to Morocco to save hostages from Hammuda ibn Ali, the Monarch of Morocco.
Then he spent a year in Cadiz, Spain, understanding the ramifications of disease and surgery at the largest hospital in Europe.
All were not pleasant experiences in Cadiz. He lost his brother Rufus due to some strange malady. And John had burned his face and hands saving another lad from a laboratory fire.
However, he did have the opportunity to read several medical theses, “Don Quixote” and also some of Alain-Rene Le Sage’s humorous short stories.
Yes, John Bessac had led a full life by the age of eighteen.
Now it was time for him to take his vows of priesthood.
But John had seen too much. He was full of life and spirit, very fond of his amusements and had a deep desire to continue visiting various parts of the world. How was he to keep these desires buried if he were to enter the life of a priest?
The only counsel he could trust to help him make his case were his two remaining brothers; Baptiste and Bertrand. The bond between the three was strong. Many nights were spent with them as John discussed his problem.
Finally Baptiste and Bertrand agreed to speak to their father about John’s dilemma.
No effort was spared by the brothers to convince John’s father to abandon his plans for John. And it almost worked if it were not for John’s Uncle Louis. Louis was an unyielding arch-catholic and had established close friendships high in the church.
The Right Reverend Bishop of the Diocese wrote a pressing letter to John’s father insisting that John take the vows immediately. That settled the matter for John, whether he agreed with the plan or not.
On St. Martin‘s Day a feast would take place in Montvalant.
Immediately after high mass John would be given the vows by the Bishop during a solemn ceremony. The Bishop had laid out his plans well.
The speech prior to the ceremony would discuss the generous nature of St. Martin, the saint of the day, while also picturing him as an equestrian knight.
The Bishop thought “Maybe that will plant the seed of a more exciting calling to John.”
Life sequestered away in some forlorn abbey did not appear to be one of John’s goals.
Wally, I’m really enjoying your posts. They bring a “realness” to the John.
Stephanie, Thank you very much. I am glad to know that people are getting some enjoyment out of them. That is my goal. Do you read my other blogs where I am currently running “THUS SPOKE FRED” and have another completed series called “ALEX IN BLUNDERLAND”? If so do you enjoy those or are they too wierd?
Wally, just found “Thus Spoke Fred” I think I will enjoy it. Just finished Chapter One. Over the weekend I will look for “Alex”.
Stephanie, You are a sweetheart for taking the time to look for “Fred.” Alex and Fred are parallel stories in different time periods. Both a little wierd but that is me; just a little wierd but not dangerous. Just a little irksome. Thanks again for reading my stories.
I say “Bravo!” for John. Go! Seek adventure!
And he does. Follow this true story to see where it ends. (HINT: It ends in the archaeology series on this same blog) But you already knew that didn’t you? This was my sneaky way of getting new comment readers to read more of my posts. Sorry for being so devious. Wally
Fabulous post!
Thanks Cindy!
Jean Guillaume Bessac was my great,great, great, great grandfather.
Thank you for the effort you’ve put into your research, I’ve discovered a lot of things that I didn’t know about him.
Darrell, First of all I wish to thank you for reading my posts about John Bessac. You must be proud to have him as an ancestor; he was an amazing man. I would have liked to have met him; but after writing these posts I feel that I knew him fairly well. Thanks again, Wally