MAXIMIN GIRAUD

Maximin Giraud was born at Corps, on August 26, 1835. His Mother, Anne-Marie Templier hails from this same region. His father, Germain Giraud is from the neighboring district. The mother died in leaving  Maximin, 17 months old, and a daughter, Angelique, who is 8 years of age. Shortly after, Mr. Giraud remarries. Maximin receives little attention: the wheelwright is at his workshop or at the bar. His wife is not interested in this high-strung, careless little urchin who is always out exploring the streets of Corps, watching the stagecoaches and the old farm wagons, or roaming the countryside with his goat and his dog. Under a mop of black hair there is constant mischief brewing, a quick eye and an agile tongue.

During the Apparition, while the beautiful Lady speaks to Melanie, Maximin twirls his hat on his walking stick, or, with the other end of his staff, poke pebbles toward the feet of the Lady. “Not a single one touched her!” he would calmly reply to the questioners. Feeling appreciated he responds in kind; treated roughly he uses the same currency.

Maximin had a difficult childhood. During the three years following the apparition his half-brother Jean-Francois, his step mother Marie Court, and his father Giraud the wheelwright, all died. His mother’s brother, the “Oncle templier”, a rough and calculating man, becomes Maximin’s guardian. School progress is slow. Sister saint Thecle who keeps an eye on him calls him “perpetual motion”. Constant pressure from pilgrims and busybodies don’t make Maximin’s life any easier. A few visionary partisans of the so-called son of Louis XVI want to use him for political purposes.  Maximin hoodwinks them with gibberish. Against the advice of the parish priest and defying the orders of the bishop  of Genoble,  they   bring the boy to Ars. Maximin does not enjoy their company but enjoys the ride and the chance to see new sights. The unpredictable Father Raymond, the Cure’s assistant, greets them. He calls La Salette a hoax and the children liars. During the morning of September 25, 1850, the Cure of Ars meets with Maximin in the sacristy, then in the confessional, but without hearing his confession. What might the frustrated Maximin have told him? The upshot of the meeting was that for many years the holy priest will never ceased to doubt and to suffer. Following the decree of September 19, 1851, he will refer everyone to the judgment of the bishop. Many years pass before he can give his own acquiescence and recover his peace. Maximin protested that he had never recanted, but he was at pains to explain his behavior.