Blessed Arnold Reche

Biography

Blessed Arnold Reche, also known as Arnold Jules-Nicolas Rèche, Jules Reche, Julian-Nicolas Rèche, and Nicholas-Jules Reche, was born on September 2, 1838, in Landroff, Lorraine, France. He was the son of Claude and Anne Flausset Reche, and he grew up in a poor family in a small village. His father was an extremely religious shoemaker, while his mother often struggled with fits of depression due to their impoverished condition. Nicholas was one of nine children and was raised with strong religious values and a fear of sin.

As a young boy, Nicholas stood out as the only serious student in his catechism class. He even took on the responsibility of teaching catechism to younger children, displaying his deep commitment to his faith even at a young age. However, when he moved to Charlesville as a young adult, he began to drift towards a more secular life.

In Charlesville, Nicholas worked as a coachman for a wealthy family and as a mule driver for a contractor involved in building a local church. It was during this time that his aunt, who lived nearby, convinced him to make some significant changes in his life. Nicholas started attending classes conducted by the Brothers of the Christian Schools and returned to a life of active and intense prayer.

Inspired by this new direction, Nicholas joined the LaSalle Brothers in 1862 at the age of 28, taking on the name Brother Arnold. He made his final vows in 1871, fully dedicating himself to the religious life. Throughout his years as a Brother, Arnold served in various roles, always striving to deepen his understanding of Christian doctrine and living out his faith.

During the Franco-Prussian War, Brother Arnold worked as a medic, tending to the wounded in the trenches. He displayed great compassion and skill, earning him the bronze cross in recognition of his invaluable contributions. After the war, he became a teacher at the Brothers boarding school in Rheims, France. While he may have been considered a mediocre teacher of traditional classroom subjects, he excelled as a teacher of Christian doctrine, leaving a lasting impact on his students.

In 1877, Brother Arnold was appointed as the Novice Director for the congregation, a move that allowed him to step away from the classrooms where he felt inadequate. His dedication and guidance helped shape the future generation of Brothers, and his leadership was highly valued within the community.

Brother Arnold's commitment to his vocation led him to become the Director General of the house at Courlancy in March 1890. Unfortunately, his time in this role was cut short when he suffered a cerebral hemorrhage and passed away on October 23, 1890. He was buried in the public cemetery at Rheims, France, and his grave soon became known as a site of miracles, with many attributing healings and favors to his intercession.

The veneration of Blessed Arnold Reche began on June 5, 1986, when he was recognized for his holiness and virtues by Pope John Paul II. One year later, on November 1, 1987, he was beatified by the same pontiff, becoming Blessed Arnold Reche.

Today, Blessed Arnold Reche is remembered as an example of steadfast faith and devotion to God. His life serves as an inspiration for those seeking to deepen their understanding of Christian doctrine and live out their faith in all aspects of life. May his intercession continue to bring blessings and miracles to all who seek his help.