Catus - Saint-Astier

A priory existed here in 1095. This was probably the nucleus of the village of Catus. The convent was depending from the Benedictian abbey Saint-Michel-de-la-Cluse 700kms (!) east in what is today Northern Italy. Saint Astier was built as the priory church within the 12th century, but only the crossing tower may date back to that early times. Severely damaged during the Hundred Years War, the priory was given up end of 14th century. The Wars of Religion again brought devastation to Catus, but from the 16th century on the structure got rebuilt in Gothic style.

After the French Revolution the remaining buildings of the priory were sold as "biens nationaux" (national property). Unfortunately the cloister was sold as well - and is lost.

I was surprised by this statue, depicting a man in chinese attire, tied to a cross. I learned that Jean-Gabriel Perboyre was born in Montgesty, a village 5kms north, in 1802. He was a missionary to China, where became a martyr in 1840. Pope John Paul II canonized him.

Wiki and the Vatican know more about him:

en.wikipedia.org/wiki/John_Gabriel_Perboyre
www.vatican.va/news_services/liturgy/saints/ns_lit_doc_19...