Postcard of Leonardus Vandemaele to Guido Gezelle
On August 15th, 1882 the Bishop of Bruges is coming to Tiegem to administer Confirmation and to attend the Saint-Arnoldus procession. Guido Gezelle’s brother is to decorate catholic buildings in the village, and will ask his brother for a few verses to go with the decorations. Vandemaele would like Gezelle to accept this request.
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Joannes Josephus Faict
Bishop Joannes Josephus Faict came to Tiegem on August 15th, 1882 to administer confirmation and to attend the Saint Arnold procession.
Saint Arnold Procession Tiegem
On August 20th, 1882, there was an impressive procession for the 800th anniversary of the bishop's consecration of Saint Arnold.
(Photo Beeldbank Kortrijk)
Saint Arnold of Tiegem
Arnoldus was a knight, monk, bishop of Soissons and founder of the Oudenburg Abbey. The legend has it that everyone was cured of the plague after drinking a brew that Arnoldus had stirred with his staff. His worship began in Tiegem in 1816 after the miraculous healing of Fransisca d'Hulst. She had used water from the then newly discovered Saint Arnold well.
(Photo Beeldbank Kortrijk)
Romaan Gezelle
Guido Gezelle's brother Romaan was a firework maker. His firm provided lighting and decoration for the appointments of mayors and pastors in the city. He also supplied the decorations for the festivities in Tiegem in honor of Saint Arnold. He asked his brother to write verses for this centenary.
Sint-Arnoldus Chapel in Tiegem
In the Sint-Arnoldus chapel in Tiegem the shrine of Saint Arnoldus is kept. The worship of the saint started in Tiegem in 1816 after a miraculous healing. In this chapel the Saint Arnold relic is displayed in a shrine next to the altar.
(Photo Beeldbank Kortrijk)
Tiegem Celebrates St. Arnoldus
Guido Gezelle wrote the poem Tiegem celebrates St. Arnoldus for the centenary of the saint.
Read the first stanza:
God, die den mensch beproeft en meester is van 't leven
wil Sint-Amoldus steeds als trooster u hier geven.
Zijn macht staat hier bekend, zijn naam wordt hier vereerd;
hij lenigt pijn en smert van die tot hem zich keert.
Maar deugd moet zijn betracht, en zonde dient vermeden,
is 't dat gij hulp afsmeekt in ziekt' en zwarigheden.
Met hoop valt hem te voet, vertrouwt hem uwe kwalen,
en zoete troost alsdan zult gij hier komen halen.
Guido Gezelle
[nonpoetic translation]
God, tester of man and master of life,
gives you Saint-Arnold for constant comfort,
whose power is known here, whose name here honoured;
releasing who turns to him from pain and from sorrow.
Virtue pursue and sin do avoid
if you seek his help in sickness and struggle,
In hope kneel before him, to him confide your troubles
And here you will find sweet comfort you sought for
Leonardus Vandemaele
Leonardus Vandemaele was vicar in Tiegem. He wrote Guido Gezelle a postcard asking him to respond to his brother Romaan's request and write verses for the centenary of Saint Arnold.
