
St. Michael Garicoits
Facts
Birth: 1797
Death: 1863
Author and Publisher - Catholic Online
Printable Catholic Saints PDFs
Shop St. Michael Garicoits

Michael was born on April 15, 1797, the eldest son of Arnold and Gratianne Garicoits. They were poor and Michael was hired out as a shepherd boy to a farmer. His desire to become a priest always met with "No, we are too poor" by his parents, but his grandmother talked the matter over with the parish priest. Through his efforts Michael earned his expenses for college by working after school hours for the clergy and in the bishop's kitchen. In December 1823 he was ordained priest in Bayonne cathedral by Bishop d'Astros. Michael's first assignment was at Cambo where he remained two years. He did much to revive religion there, combat Jansenism by the custom of frequent communion as well as by introducing Sacred Heart devotions. Father Garicoits' next call was to a professorship in the senior seminary for priests at Betharram, and then to be superior. In 1838, Father Garicoits drew up a constitution largely based on that of the sons of St. Ignatius. Like them, his missionaries were to take life vows and to spread far and wide. Associates gathered round him at Betharram, and all seemed promising, when the bishop disapproved of his idea of founding a new congregation. Not till 1852 was the community allowed to choose its own superior, and even then it was tied down by regulations which hampered its activity. Father Garicoits submitted, but with a heavy heart. He died on Ascension day, May 14, 1863. Fourteen years later the Society of Priests of the Sacred Heart of Betharram was approved by the Holy See on the lines the founder had laid down. St. Michael Garicoits, who was at one time spiritual director of the Basque house of the Daughters of the Cross at Igon, received much encouragement in his foundation from St. Elizabeth Bichier des Ages, and he was all his life a close friend of her congregation in the Basque country. Both of them were canonized in the year 1947. His feast day is May 14th.
More Saints
- Trending Saints:
- St. Charles Lwanga and Companions
- St. Rita
- St. Kevin
- St. Anthony of Padua
Join the Movement
When you sign up below, you don't just join an email list - you're joining an entire movement for Free world class Catholic education.
-
-
St. Charles Lwanga and Companions
-
Saint of the Day for Saturday, June 3rd, 2023
-
Mysteries of the Rosary
-
Prayer of the Day for Saturday, June 3
-
Litany of the Blessed Virgin Mary
-
7 Morning Prayers you need to get your day started with God
-
Bible
-
The Apostles' Creed
-
Unfailing Prayer to St. Anthony
-
Stations of the Cross
Justin the Martyr is a Model for Our Mission
-
Experts Urge Human Rights Focus in International Treaty on Plastic Pollution
-
Nevada Governor Signs Pro-Choice Bill and Oklahoma Abortion Restrictions Struck Down
-
June is Dedicated to the Sacred Heart of Jesus
-
U.S. Condemns Nicaraguan Dictator's Attacks on Church
Daily Catholic
Daily Readings for Saturday, June 03, 2023
St. Charles Lwanga and Companions: Saint of the Day for Saturday, June 03, 2023
Prayer to St. Gabriel, for Others: Prayer of the Day for Wednesday, May 10, 2023
- Daily Readings for Friday, June 02, 2023
- Sts. Marcellinus and Peter: Saint of the Day for Friday, June 02, 2023
- Prayer for Travelers: Prayer of the Day for Tuesday, May 09, 2023

Copyright 2022 Catholic Online. All materials contained on this site, whether written, audible or visual are the exclusive property of Catholic Online and are protected under U.S. and International copyright laws, © Copyright 2022 Catholic Online. Any unauthorized use, without prior written consent of Catholic Online is strictly forbidden and prohibited.
Catholic Online is a Project of Your Catholic Voice Foundation, a Not-for-Profit Corporation. Your Catholic Voice Foundation has been granted a recognition of tax exemption under Section 501(c)(3) of the Internal Revenue Code. Federal Tax Identification Number: 81-0596847. Your gift is tax-deductible as allowed by law.