Blessed Agathangelus Nourry

Biography

Blessed Agathangelus Nourry, also known as Agathangelo Noury, Agathangelus of Vendome, or Agathange Noury of Vendåme, was born on July 31, 1598, near Vendome, France. Little is known about his early life and family background. However, his spiritual journey began when he joined the Capuchins at Le Mans, France, in 1619.

After completing his initial formation as a Capuchin friar, Agathangelus Nourry dedicated himself to the study of theology. He was appointed as a theology teacher at Rennes, France, where he shared his knowledge and wisdom with others.

In 1633, Agathangelus embarked on a missionary journey to Egypt alongside another blessed friar named Cassianus. Their main focus was to spread the Gospel and support the Copts, a local Christian community. However, their missionary efforts encountered significant challenges, and they faced little success in their endeavors.

Not discouraged by the difficulties encountered in Egypt, Agathangelus and Cassianus decided to redirect their missionary work to Abyssinia (present-day Ethiopia), a region with a long history of Christianity. The two friars hoped to bring the light of Christ to the people of Abyssinia and strengthen the existing Christian community there.

Unfortunately, Agathangelus Nourry's missionary journey would end in martyrdom. On August 7, 1638, he was either stoned to death or hanged with the cords of his own robes in Dibauria, Abyssinia. The exact circumstances of his death vary in historical records.

The Capuchin Order and Franciscan community honor Blessed Agathangelus Nourry on different feast days. The Capuchin calendar commemorates him on August 7, while the Franciscan calendar assigns his feast day on August 11.

The life and martyrdom of Blessed Agathangelus Nourry were recognized as exemplary and holy. Pope Pius X beatified him on October 23, 1904, with the formal recognition following on January 1, 1905.

While limited information is available about his personal life and specific accomplishments, Agathangelus Nourry's commitment to missionary work and his willingness to give up his life for the sake of spreading the Gospel serve as an inspiration for Catholics around the world. Although his representation is unspecified, his memory remains alive among those who honor his sanctity.