May 18, 2004
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Pain de vie , Lumière de l ' amour
Bread of life , Light of love .
photo Michel Fauqet mai 2004
English version below the third picture .
En France chaque profession vénère un Saint . Pour les boulangers ce Saint est Saint Honoré . Ce dernier a été évêque d ' Amiens ( ma ville ) de 554 à 600 . Il était le 8ème évêque d ' Amiens . Il est donc particulièrement vénéré ici . Dans une église non loin de chez moi , une église dédié à St Honoré , c ' était Dimanche dernier la " fête du pain partagé " De nombreux boulangers étaient là et offrirent un pain d ' honneur richement décoré . L ' évêque était là , bien sûr . Il continuait la tradition de St Honoré . Il est le 102ème évêque d ' Amiens . Il tenait une pelle à pain ( avec une sculpture du saint ) au lieu de sa crosse . des morceaux de pain bénit ont été donnés à tous ceux qui étaient là .
Sur l ' autel se trouvait une composition florale dont j ' ai aimé le symbolisme : pain de vie , lumière de l ' amour ( 1ère photo )
L ' arrivée des boulangers The arrival of the bakers Photo Michel Fauquet Mai 2004
Le pain d ' honneur bread of honor Photo Michel fauquet Mai 2004
In France every profession venerates a Saint for ages . For the bakers this Saint is St Honore . This last one has been bishop of Amiens ( my town ) from 554 to 600 . He was the 8th bishop of Amiens . So he is particularly venerated here . At a church no far from my house , a church dedicaced to St Honoré , it was on last Sunday " the feast of the bread shared " . Many bakers were there and offered a bread of honour richly decorated . The bishop was there of course . He continues the tradition of St Honore . He is the 102 th bishop of Amiens . He held a bread shovel ( with a sculture of the Saint ) instead of his crook . . Bits of holy bread have been given to all people that were there .
On the altar was a floral composition whom I liked the symbolism : bread of life , light of love ( first photo )
Comments (87)
There is nothing better than french bread and lots of butter
. French bread here does not taste the same as bread brought in France
What a sweet tradition. It sounds like the people in your little town are as appreciative and thoughtful as you. I love the picture, Michel!
the bread of life, light of love.....I'll have to remember that.
I love this. Is that a huge "beehive" bread in the background of "the arrival of the bakers." Good French Bread can be tough to find here in the US but not impossible, and well worth it, of course. (or should we follow our idiot Senators to "Freedom Bread"? -ha)
Fantastic tradition. I really like that.
it's lunchtime here, Michel~! lol
*hugs*
~janny
Answer to thenarrator : In the background what you see is a pile of round breads that will be blessed and broken to give to people .
Michel, my package to you came back! I don't know if I got the address in the wrong order or what happend!! Can I beg you to send it to me one more time? I will take it to the post office to see what happened. I thought I had written it down correctly when you last emailed me.
I sure hope you are having a wonderful and beautiful day. My best to Janine too! Post more pictures of your beautiful garden!
Looks like a beautiful ceremony.
J'aime le pain francais aussi. Mmmmmmmmm!
Very interesting.
Very nice.
*smile*
Remember me Michel?....God bless you & ur garden...u must stay in good physical shape for ur age my friend....Peace,
Steven
very interesting!!
Il y avait des boulangers parmi mes ancetres.
j'adore le pain. le pain au chocolat pour exemple :p
Hi Michel! Yeah I am still blogging~ =) And I do read your xanga! But I seldom leave comments now because I am busy with travelling and studying! The bread feast you describe here is really interesting! I like bread, hahahaha~~ =P
By the way, I will be going to Paris in June!!! I am so excited about that...but I seriously need to revise my French! =P
That looks incredibly beautiful Michel! Thank you for posting this!
La première photo ressemble étrangement à une photo de première communion. Je n'ai malheureusement pas été à Amiens, mais je connais la tradition et les Saints Patrons de la plupart des professions. Le mien serait Saint Jérome, je crois. Je sais de même qu'on fait la bise à la personne dont on fête le Saint du jour.
Passez une bonne semaine, Michel.
Clara
It is pretty. And profound-y.
Bread-symbolism. Such a simple thing, bread. . . .
B
What a great tradition!!! We do not get such tasty bread at our church, nor do we see any bakers bring any. Beautiful pictures!!! Have a great week.
Love
Edie Rose
I love that old traditions are being celebrated where you live.
What a beautiful and meaningful ceremony! Truly, Jesus is the Bread of Life and the Light of the World.
Carol Suzanne
That's so interesting.
Michel,
I would love to visit your little town when such a festival is coming. It would be interesting to be there and be a part of these ceremonies. I always enjoy your pictures Michel. You are an excellent photographer!
Hugs,
Deb
sounds like a nice and interesting tradition. the photos are nice, especially the first. very nice arrangement in the first photo. -dave
Interesting...I don't think I've seen anything quite like it...
I love French bread. I love French culture. I love France! I want to go back.
Very interesting! Now, I know how St Honore is linked to the profession of bakers. I've always heard of St Honore and bakers but I wasn't very sure! Thanks for sharing a bit of your tradition!
j'aime être une partie de ces fêtes. en fait, j'étais à un fêtes de moisson le dernier samedi. j'ai partagé quelques images dans mon xanga, aussi.
What a lovely way to celebrate a saint.
Hello to you Michel
In Amiens bread must be of great meaning.
To give bread to everyone looks to me a very good idea. They should also start giving a glass of wine with the bread. hehe.
Amitié
Carlo
Both beautiful and appetizing. Baking as an art form, I love it. And the blessing, how beautiful. I have seen ice made into art, but never before bread. Very talented bakers. I am craving bread and jam right now, giggles...my nono was a baker...have a wonderful day...huggs to you my friend...love Sassy
Le pain en France est comme le ris en Chine... c'est essentiel et bon... Je trouve qu'il est charmant d'avoir un saint pour le pain
How wonderful to have a Saint from your own town. Interesting story.
A wonderful tradition!
The bread does look very impressive here, Michel. 
That's one of the things I love about Xanga, in that we can find out so many customs and traditions of other nationalities that we might otherwise be unaware! 
How interesting and lovely! Thank you for sharing this tradition with us!
Essayez de raconter vos souvenirs de jeunesse en anglais
What a nice ceremony.
Merveilleux symboles Michel !
Merci de nous faire partager virtuellement la force de cette célébration !
mais dis-moi, toute autre chose, le gâteau St. Honoré ... c'est une autre histoire ?
amitiés, bb_am
Mmm...a cause de ton blog, je desire (comment dit "crave") un baguette chaud et le beurre -- Burro Occelli, c'est la plus delicieuse!! Je vais t'envoyer une lettre pret.
Amities,
CLementine
thank you so much for your visit and your comment. I am proud of my position at my work...Huggs...Sassy
yum. bread. I finally had a chance to blog today. I am doing ok, just very busy with the two girls now.
Yes my friend Michel...I had an accident which was NOT my fault...I thank God I am still alive!
I'd love to visit ur little town where all those great events are happening.....Peace,
Steven
tradition makes live have texture and meaning. It is lovely to have such celebrations passed down to each generation.
Nancy
What a great celebration of one of the greatest joys of life!--bread!
Je fais Science Po et Langues et je fais des traductions en free-lance. Je n'en connais pas beaucoup d'autres. Saint Christophe, parce qu'on l'offre avec les nouvelles voitures et Saint Honoré parce qu'il est délicieux.
Clara
What a wonderful tradition. Sadly many of such traditions have been lost here. It is important for the Church to be involved with local people eg. bakers and show that all our work is important " .... this bread to offer, which the earth has given and human hands have made .... "
Marie
Tres interesant et les photos magnifiques! Cette tradition est semblable à certains au Mexique.
I have seen your name in comments around Xanga, but this is my first visit to your page. I love it! I studied French for four years in high school (many years ago), and can read it still, a little, but cannot write in French. I am enjoying the act of translating what you have written and checking it. Thank you....
Wonderful pictures.
Great pictures!!
I have some family in France that live in Lyon. I, too, love French bread, including pain au chocolat. When I visited last summer, my cousin bought me a couple of them. In fact, I miss pain au chocolat, and will make it a summer adventure to find it somewhere here in Phoenix, Arizona!
Great pictures!!
I have some family in France that live in Lyon. I, too, love French bread, including pain au chocolat. When I visited last summer, my cousin bought me a couple of them. In fact, I miss pain au chocolat, and will make it a summer adventure to find it somewhere here in Phoenix, Arizona!
Very nice!
i never imagined people would pay so much respect to the humble bread ..... this is simply fabulous! and so are the pictures .. you have a sharp eye !
Hope you haveing a wonderful day ! Hugs and Love
As always, beautiful pictures Michel. The floral display was especially eye catching. I love the smell of freshly baked bread and my mouth waters at the thought of the scents that must have filled the church area.
P.S: Thank you for your concern. Je vais bien, sauf que la vie quelque fois ne nous donne pas la chance d'arreter et de respirer.
that was a nice post. that bread looks yummy! i wish i could have been there.
<3
What a beautiful church service this looks to be. The Bread of Honour and the bouquet are lovely, almost works of art.
I always learn something at your site, Michel. It's the next best to a trip to France.
Hugs and Love
that bread is so nice! have you ever try a bit of that Michel?
ann =)
Wow! C'est tout un pain! Maintenant j'ai faim... J'espère que tu passeras une belle fin de semaine, Michel!
Another wonderful post Michel. Thank you.
Mmmmmmmmmm du pain artisanal fraichement fait..... je crois que je commence a avoir faim apres ton post... allez, bonne journée.
I loved these photos! How wonderful to have such a special Saint associated with your town. Bread is such am important food in our lives and in many religions. What a wonderful idea to have a special feast devoted to it. I wish I could have been there to sample some to that delicious looking bread.
i always feel that it is these little occassions and festivals that make living a much richer experience... and celebrating bread just seems the best thing i've heard in a while ...
what beautiful tradition and history!! The feeling of being a part of, or witnessng such a tradition must have a very powerful affect on a person. What a sense of belonging and community to have.
Hope your weekend is a great one
love and hugs in friendship
Sarah
Ah brilliant, wish my memory was better because you have brought new colour to a town I only spent 30 minutes in, and that was at a bistro!
Only the French could have so much fun with food!
A saint for bakers of BREAD... now that's a saint I could warm up to -- with a little butter.
I enjoyed this post... and learned, too.
A lovely tradition indeed! And looking over your blog? I see you are passing on your traditions through the grandchildren. They are each Beautiful !!! You are truly blessed.
Betty
Michel, What lovely pics and a beautiful story.. I love french bread. It is wonderful. Have a nice weekend and thank you for the kind thoughts on my site.
Oh, I see!
We used to have a bakery here called St Honore. Now I know why.
I love how the simplest things can stand for so much sometimes.
I love french bread... but it doesn't love me
Nice tradition!!
TC HUGS!!
I love it!
*kiss*
what a nice tradition. it's nice that u post bits about ur town.. get to know the world a little better!
May I subscribe to your Xanga? I love the pictures of far off lands. And the children too. Is Manon a common name and how do you pronounce it?
God.. I love France.
omg everything is so beautiful...I love french culture..*sigh*
(hugs)
Impressioner inspirer. Quand je lis quand le saint a habité en vous atterrit, j'ai pensé comment glorieux pour habiter en un endroit avec telle il y a longtemps histoire. Je me sens très a enraciné dans mon MIssissippi, parce que mes ancêtres ont habité ici par-dessus cent années. Mais vous habitez où vos ancêtres ont été pour les centaines et les centaines d'années. Il doit s'avoir envie d'étant enraciné comme un arbre de chêne ancien puissant.
Il est temps pour vous a ecrire un nouveau blog, mon capitaine!
A wonderful tradition and I like the symbolism, "Bread of life, light of love"
yummy looking breads too! 
J'ai toujours adoré le pain. Jusqu'à maintenant j'en mange presque tous les jours, plus courament en forme de sandwich ou grillé; mais surtout j'adore les baguettes et le pain au chocolat. L'art du pain est fascinant; quand je pense que tous les jours les boulangers doivent se réveiller à 3 heures du matin pour satisfaire nos petits estomacs affamés!
Je m'instruis toujours en venant chez vous, je connaissais le Boulevard St-Honoré à Paris mais je ne savais pas qu'il fut le 8ème évêque d'Amiens. Cette cérémonie apparaît comme un joli clin d'oeil témoignant de la richesse culturelle de la France.
Re : désolé d'être pour le retard de mes réponses. La video que j'avais affiché était un extrait d'un film américain semi-documentaire. Le petit garcon demandait à ce que la caissière lui rendit la monnaie de ses 20 dollars alors que celle-ci le renvoyait à la maison car d'après elle, il n'a payé qu'avec un billet de cinq ! De là nous assistons à leur petit argument, avec l'un employant des gros mots que ses parents lui ont fait apprendre trop tôt, et la stéréotypant de chinoise, tandis que l'autre, (fille d')imigrante avec ses virages dans le japonais qui suscite aussi la vive réaction du petit garcon en soulignant qu'ils sont aux Etats-Unis. Le tout pour moi est hilarant! D'ailleurs, moi non plus je ne comprends pas tout ce qu'ils se disent. Ni l'une ni l'autre ne parle un anglais normal.
This makes me remember how important bread has been to most cultures over time. And it also reminds me of what fresh baked bread smells like. Sharing fresh bread with friends...and wine...it doesn't get any better than that!!
Hugs,
Lisa
The bread of life - a wonderful tradition, Michel. God bless...
the symbolism says it all. i think my daughter and i are going to try to spend a week in paris in november. i may bug you with questions, but not too many. i will wait to see if my plans come together. thank you for sharing your world with us.
that is the kind of tradition that truly makes a place HOME.
Comments are closed.