1800s Handwritten Catholic Sermon for the Third Sunday of Lent

On offer is an outstanding example of the Catholic Church’s teachings at a grass-roots level in 19th century France. This beautiful handwritten sermon is titled Sermon de III Dimanche de Careme (Sermon for the 3rd Sunday of Lent) and notes that it is given by Monsieur le Cure (the Parish Priest). The handwriting is small and clear and an excellent example of the penmanship of the time. 

The source of the sermon is unknown. There is no specific reference to a parish, community or author. We do know from its title that it was written to be given at a mass on the 3rd Sunday of Lent.

The ‘Easter Season’ of Lent and Easter Sunday is the most important in the Catholic church, more so than Christmas.

An excerpt from the sermon:

Les miracles que Dieu fait en notre faveire sont toujours des marques de la bonte et de la misericordie et les infirmites que JC aurit sont la figures des differentes maladies de notre ame ...

[Translation: The miracles that God does in our favor are always marks of goodness and mercy and the infirmities that JC would have are the images of the different diseases of our soul...]

Throughout his text, you can see where he has crossed out words and edited expressions. This was very much a living manuscript in his hands.

For a social historian, this is an excellent look into the world of the average French person and into the thought processes of the clergy who so dominated life in the small towns and villages of France in the 19th century.

This manuscript measures 6.0 inches by 6.25 inches and contains 34 carefully handwritten pages. It is 100% complete. The manuscript is simply folded along a centre line. There is no cover but the pages are in fine condition.