The Cardinals of the Holy Roman Church - Biographical Dictionary (original) (raw)

The Cardinals of the Holy Roman Church Biographical Dictionary Pope Pius IX (1846-1878) Consistory of September 17, 1875 (XIX)

(105) 1. BROSSAIS-SAINT-MARC, Godefroy
(1803-1878)

Birth. February 5 (1), 1803, Rennes, France. From an upper middle class family. Son of Godefroy Brossais-Saint-Marc, a merchant who owned the castle of Boschet in Bourg-des-Comptes, and Aimie Couarde. His last name is also listed as Brossays and as Brossay.

Education. Studied at Collège Royal de Rennes (botanic science); and at Saint-Sulpice Seminary, Paris, 1828 (theology).

Priesthood. Ordained, April 2, 1831. In the diocese of Rennes, chaplain of Collège de Rennes; vicar at his native parish, Saint-Germain, April 1831; six months later, honorary canon of the cathedral chapter; and vicar general, 1836.

Episcopate. Elected bishop of Rennes, July 12, 1841. Consecrated, August 10, 1841, cathedral of Rennes, by Claude-Louis de Lesquen, former bishop of Rennes, assisted by Jean-Baptiste Bouvier, bishop of Le Mans, and by Jean-François de Hercé, bishop of Nantes. Assistant at the Pontifical Throne, May 9, 1845. Promoted to archbishop when the see of Rennes was elevated to the metropolitan rank, January 3, 1859.

Cardinalate. Created cardinal priest in the consistory of September 17, 1875; received the title of S. Maria della Vittoria, April 3, 1876; and the red hat, December 31, 1877. Did not participate in conclave of 1878, which elected Pope Leo XIII, because of illness; died six days after the election (February 20, 1878) of the new pope.

Death. February 26, 1878, Rennes. Exposed and buried in the metropolitan cathedral of Rennes (3).

Bibliography. "Cardinali defunti." La Gerarchia Cattolica e la Famiglia Pontificia per l'anno 1903, Città del Vaticano : Tipografia poliglotta vaticana, 1903, p. 171; Chapeau, O.S.B. André and Fernand Combaluzier, C.M. Épiscopologe français des temps modernes, 1592-1973. Paris : Letouzey et Ané, 1974, p. 213-214; Ritzler, Remigium, and Pirminum Sefrin. Hierarchia Catholica Medii et Recentioris Aevi. Volumen VII (1800-1846). Patavii : Typis et Sumptibus Domus Editorialis "Il Messaggero di S. Antonio" apud Basilicam S. Antonii, 1968, pp. 320; Ritzler, Remigium, and Pirminum Sefrin. Hierarchia Catholica Medii et Recentioris Aevi. Volumen VIII (1846-1903). Patavii : Typis et Sumptibus Domus Editorialis "Il Messaggero di S. Antonio" apud Basilicam S. Antonii, 1979, pp. 21 and 51.

Webgraphy. His portrait, sacristy of the cathedral of Rennes; and his photograph, taken by Eugène Ernest Appert, Musée d'Orsay, Paris, France.

(1) This is according to Riztlez, Hierarchia Catholica Medii et Recentioris Aevi, VII, 320; and Chapeau, Épiscopologe français des temps modernes, 1592-1973, pp. 213-214; "Cardinali defunti." La Gerarchia Cattolica e la Famiglia Pontificia per l'anno 1903, p. 177, says that he was born on February 4, 1803.
(3) This is the text of the inscription on his monument, kindly provided by Mr. Eman Bonnici, from Malta:

A ⳩ Ω MEMORIÆ E.E. IN XO PATRIS D.D. GODEFRIDI BROSSAY SAINT MARC S.R.E. PRESBYTERI CARDINALIS TITULI S. MARIÆ DE VICTORIA PRIMI REDONUM ARCHIEPISCOPI HOC MONUMENTUM CLERUS POPULUSQUE MŒRENTES ET GRATI POSUERE