Augustin-Joseph Desgardin
Cistercian lay brother of Sept-Fons, in religion Élie, martyr
Who they were
The decree on martyrdom describes him as a professed lay brother of the Cistercian Order belonging to the abbey of Sept-Fons, born on 21 December 1750 and dead on 6 July; the Roman Martyrology names him Augustin-Joseph (Élie) Desgardin and says he was taken from the monastery of Septfontaines in hatred of religion, thrown into a foul prison ship and died infected while nursing his sick fellow prisoners. He was beatified on 1 October 1995 by John Paul II, among Jean-Baptiste Souzy and his sixty-three companions whose martyrdom in 1794-1795 the decree declared.
The miracles
As a martyr he was raised to the altars without a miracle.
Why that counted as sanctity
The Roman Martyrology says he was taken from his monastery in hatred of religion and died in the prison ship while nursing his sick fellow prisoners.
The cause
The cause continues. No postulation address is published here yet. Favours received through this person’s intercession, and offers of help, are best sent to the religious order or congregation they belonged to, or to the diocese where the cause was opened; either will pass them to the postulation.
Connected on this site
- Jean-Baptiste Souzy Blessed“He was beatified on 1 October 1995 by John Paul II, among Jean-Baptiste Souzy and his sixty-three companions whose martyrdom in 1794-1795 the decree declared.” — this site's research
- Acta Apostolicae Sedis 87 (1995), p. 20 - decree on martyrdom
- Roman Martyrology, 6 July (Italian Bishops' Conference, Santo del giorno)
- Dicastery for the Causes of Saints - beatifications of 1 October 1995
Checked against the sources listed on 22 September 2026. Corrections welcome.