December 19: Blessed Pope Urban V

Today, December 19, we celebrate the feast day of Blessed Pope Urban V (1310-1370), a “second choice” pontiff, who upon accepting the Chair of Peter, worked to reform the struggling Church and reunite the many factions present at that time. A man of great humility, Pope Urban declined the luxuries available to both popes and priests at that time, preferring to live modestly, wear his Benedictine robes, and commune with everyday people.


Born Guillaume de Grimoald, Pope Urban V was a native of France, growing up in Languidoc. While we know little about his early life, he became a Benedictine monk, earning a doctorate in Canon Law, and taught at Montpellier and Avignon. As abbot of the Saint-Victor community in Marseilles, he was chosen as a papal legate, and sent on various missions to Avignon and Naples. It was during one of these trips that he was elected pope, after the first man offered the position declined. Pope Urban V served the Church for eight years, from 1362 until his death.

Remembered as deeply spiritual and brilliantly intellectual, Pope Urban immediately set about enacting reform. A severe disciplinarian, he encouraged the clergy to shed the privileges and wealth of their positions, and to live more simply and modestly. He further enacted reforms in many Orders, restored churches and monasteries, founded several colleges and institutions of learning, and made great strides in reconciling rifts between the Eastern and Western churches.

Throughout his papacy, Pope Urban continued to follow the Benedictine Rule. He refused to wear papal fineries, instead preferring his simple monk’s robe. He further requested to be moved from the papal palace to the simple home of his brother, that he might live “among ordinary people.”

Virtuous and honest, Pope Urban V sought to return the seat of the papacy to Rome, from Avignon where it had been exiled years prior. He died before being able to accomplish this task, but set the stage the later move. It is said that as he lay dying in his brother’s house, he called the people to surround his deathbed saying “the people must see how popes die.” His body, was buried at Avignon and then later translated to Marseille according to his wishes. Pope Urban’s tomb became the site of many miracles.

Pope Urban V’s life was one of surprises. Not even a cardinal, he was elected to the Chair of Peter, and for eight years, served steadily, justly, and virtuously. Given the political and scandalous climate of Europe at that time, his virtues shine all the more brightly. A simple and humble man, through his example, Pope Urban ushered in a reformed and more modest clergy, better able to attend to the needs of their congregations. We pray today for similar reform and guidance in the Church, that honestly, virtue, and justice shine forth like the sun.



Day 353 of 365
Prayer Intentions: Honesty, virtue, justice in the Church.
Requested Intentions: Successful completion of nursing exam (M); For a daughter in an abusive relationships (J); For the consecration of a granddaughter to Our Blessed Mother (A); For a successful marriage (S); Restoration of a teaching job (L); Health and spirituality of family members (R); For a return to health for a friend (C); Healing from cancer of a brother-in-law (C); Healthy relationship; Joy in everyday life (J); Successful employment and financial assistance for education (M); For the return home of father and husband suffering from mental illness (C); Successful passing of examination; Employment for Son (J); Healing of a family and son (S); Successful marriage (G); End to husband’s addictions; Son’s employment (M); Freedom from financial burdens (M); Healing after a miscarriage (E); For healing of friend; successful resolution of legal matter (A); Complete healing of a friend with pancreatic cancer (J); Healing of a father following stroke (S).