The Calvary of Betharram (5)

When the French Revolution broke out there were six chaplains in Betharram. For them the first consequence of this outset of the revolution was the interruption of their apostolic works. Next on the 2nd November 1789 came the law passed by the National Assembly and which against all human and divine laws declared that the property of the Clergy would be at the disposition of the nation. At that moment began the destruction throughout the entire kingdom. Betharram could not avoid the common disaster and saw itself stripped of all its possessions which it had received through the generosity of the public and especially through the generosity of the priests who had retired over the past century and a half.

In the month of July 1790 the revolutionary assembly went deeper and deeper into the way of misconduct and passed that most famous Civil Constitution of the Clergy. According to this law there was an article suppressing Chapels and Chaplains. The little Society of Betharram was definitely scattered in the course of 1791. The different members of the Society were allotted a pension which was not paid. Finally the storm grew more dangerous. So these good priests were obliged, just like all the other churchmen who had remained faithful to their duty, either to go into hiding in their own country or else go abroad.

In 1793 Catholic Religion was totally abolished. During the Reign of Terror Churches and cloisters were desecrated or destroyed as they had never been even during the invasion of the Barbarians. Who is the senior citizen who even today does not remember the unforgettable excesses of the revolutionaries? It was at this time that the ferocious emissaries of the Convention were rampaging throughout France, under the banner of representing the people. Monestier, from the Puy-de-Dôme, arrived here under the orders of Robespierre bringing the guillotine to this part of the world. He was in Pau in the first months of 1794. When there was no more blood to spill he was advised to create ruins, and it was on Betharram that people were trying to bring destruction.

On 17th March 1794 Monestier set out for Lestelle, together with a few civil servants from the Region as well as all that Nay and the neighbouring villages counted as revolutionaries. With the approach of this angry crowd consternation was widespread; but face at the dangers which threatened one could only but pray and sigh, but care had to be taken to hide both prayers and tears.

However one man armed with courage and goodness, Mr Lescun, then mayor of Lestelle together with his town councillors faced Monestier and addressed him forcefully as he was entering the village. The man carried on and made straight for the Chapel. His helpers talked about getting down to the job; ladders were brought and put against the facade. The workmen began at once to strike the five statues which adorned the facade when on a word from Lescun, Monestier called out “Have respect for these master pieces; it would be a pity to destroy them!” The order was obeyed; but the helpers rushed into the sacred shrine and began to create havoc accompanied by curses and blasphemy. At this moment the courageous mayor said “Citizen, I am only asking you in the name of artistic relics to spare this monument “. “Yes, replied Monestier, “Let’s spare it; but I want the doors to be built up. Citizens, get out!”

With one voice the iconoclasts shouted “The Calvary”! The Calvary!” and straightaway like wild beasts they flung themselves on that part of the booty which they could not be deprived of. They smashed the doors of the Chapels; the statues were smashed and mutilated and children were able to play with the debris. On the chapel door at the top of the Calvary there was a statue of the Virgin in white marble. A miserable wretch took pleasure in beheading it. The story goes that later on he underwent the same fate. There is also a story that from the bronze statue of Christ on the Cross a nest of bees escaped, whereas from the statue of the impenitent thief there was only a hornet’s nest. This event caused serious reflexions but nothing could touch the hearts of such men!

Of the many statues which adorned the eight Chapels there was only the statue of Christ on the column which escaped the weapons of the revolutionaries. The remains of all the others were collected in a handcart and burnt the next day on the public Square in Nay. A monument which was dearly loved by all the people had been destroyed. Did this make these poor people any better or happier? Of course not! Let’s put aside such a sad thought and let’s thank Providence for saving the Chapel and the house from the ruin which was threatening them. Let’s also thank those good people who, with M. Lescun, acted in such an unexpected way on the spirit and perhaps on the heart of the terrible emissary of Robespierre.

(From the Chronicles of Betharram/Abbe Menjoulet)

Once the chapels had been emptied and all traces of religion wiped out, the Revolutionary Guards kept the danger of a resurgence of the religion at bay. The Chapel, the chaplains’ house and the Calvary on the hill site were sold by auction. Nine landowners in Lestelle formed an Association to buy the ruins of the chapels, and the road leading to Calvary “for a religious programme”. You can imagine the courage necessary to sign such a declaration during the Reign of Terror! In 1805 all these properties were handed over to the Bishop. in 1805. (Raymond Descomps - « Echos de Bétharram »)