Catholic Resistance during the French Revolution – A lesson for Traditional Catholics today

If the current trends continue, it is not unthinkable that traditional Catholics may once again find themselves forced underground.

Image: Jacques Cathelineau by Anne-Louis Girodet de Roussy-Trioson

Throughout history, the Catholic Church has faced persecution from secular powers that sought to suppress her voice, control her clergy, and destroy her influence.

One of the most striking examples occurred during the French Revolution (1789–1799), when Catholics—particularly those who refused to compromise their loyalty to Rome (Eternal Rome, not Modernist Rome)—were driven underground to preserve the faith. Today, traditional Catholics face an increasingly hostile world, not only from an aggressively secular society but also from modernist elements within the Church herself, who often undermine Catholic teaching to align with secular ideologies. This twofold assault—external and internal—poses a grave threat, one that could once again drive the faithful underground.

The French Revolution, though founded on ideals of “liberty, equality, and fraternity,” quickly turned hostile toward the Catholic Church, seeing her as an obstacle to their vision of a secular state. In 1790, the revolutionary government enacted the Civil Constitution of the Clergy, which required priests and bishops to swear allegiance to the state rather than to the pope. This oath was presented as a mere legal formality, but in truth, it severed the Church in France from her spiritual authority in Rome.

According to an article in History Today, “Figures varied considerably between regions, but over 50 per cent of parish clergy swore their loyalty to the Constitution. For others the oath presented a grave matter of conscience eased only on 13 April 1791 when the pope, who had been hesitating, issued his condemnation. Those who took the oath became known as ‘jurors’, while those who refused were labelled ‘non-jurors’ or ‘refractory priests’. A growing number fled overseas, joining those nobles and clergy who had already emigrated rather than live under the revolutionary regime. The French population gradually split between those who supported the ‘Constitutional Church’ and those who remained loyal to refractory priests, initially allowed to continue practising. Rather than confirming the allegiance of French clergy to a state-operated church, the oath had put before them a decision that, by forcing them to choose between the Constitutional Church and Rome, would cause a schism among French Catholics for the next decade and generate hostility towards the Revolution and its aims”.

(Sounds alarmingly similar to the situation we are facing today, as a chasm is opening between the modernists and their false synodal post-conciliar church, and faithful traditionalists who want to practice the faith of Christ’s Catholic Church of the Ages! Just like support for the “refractory Church” became increasingly associated with counter-revolution during this perilous time in French history, support for Traditional Catholicism today often will lead to one being treated as a pariah and labelled a schismatic).

Martyrs of the Catholic Resistance

The clergy, faithful to their divine mission, who refused to take the oath were declared enemies of the state. Churches were seized, the Mass was forbidden, and priests were hunted down. Faithful Catholics, unwilling to abandon the sacraments, went underground. The clandestine Church celebrated Mass in forests, barns, and secret rooms, where priests risked their lives to bring the Eucharist to the faithful. This underground Church, sustained by heroic priests and laity, preserved the Catholic faith in France amidst intense persecution.

The resistance of the French faithful was sustained by heroic priests, bishops, and laity who gave everything for the preservation of the faith. Their sacrifices and courage offer timeless examples for us today.

· Blessed Noël Pinot (1747-1794)

One of the most famous martyrs of the French Revolution was Blessed Noël Pinot, a priest who refused to take the revolutionary oath. Father Pinot continued to celebrate the Mass secretly, despite the constant danger of being discovered. In 1794, he was captured while fully vested for Mass. The soldiers dragged him through the streets, mocking him as they cried out, “Behold the priest! Behold the priest!” Father Pinot’s response was unwavering: he remained calm, bearing his humiliation as Christ bore His Cross. He was sentenced to death and executed by guillotine. His final words were those of the Mass: “Introibo ad altare Dei”—“I will go unto the altar of God.”

Blessed Noël Pinot’s steadfastness inspires us today, as the Traditional Latin Mass (TLM)—the same Mass he died to celebrate—is increasingly restricted and marginalized by those who seek to modernize and secularize the Church.

· The Martyrs of the Vendée

A group of Catholic peasants who met in secret in forests to attend Masses during the French Revolution were known as the "Chouans" and part of the broader Vendean resistance. The term Chouans specifically referred to royalist Catholic insurgents, primarily from Brittany and western France, who fought against the revolutionary government's suppression of the Church. They were named after their leader, Jean Cottereau, who had the nickname "Chouan," meaning "owl," as the owl's call was used as a signal in their secret gatherings.

In the Vendée and surrounding regions, peasants who remained loyal to the Church would gather clandestinely in forests, barns, or hidden locations to celebrate the Mass, often with Refractory priests. These priests risked their lives to provide the sacraments, while the faithful peasants protected and supported them.

These gatherings were a powerful expression of the people's unwavering fidelity to the Catholic faith in the face of persecution and were often marked by the profound sense of reverence and sacrifice.

The Vendeans rose up in 1793 to defend their faith and their priests against the revolutionary government. Their cry was simple and profound: “For God and King!” These faithful Catholics, both men and women, were willing to fight and die to protect the Mass, the sacraments, and their priests.

The revolutionary response was brutal. Thousands of Vendeans were slaughtered in what many historians now call the first modern genocide. Entire villages were razed, and the region’s population was decimated. Yet the spirit of the Vendeans endures as a shining witness to the truth that faith is worth any sacrifice. As the Vendean leader Jacques Cathelineau proclaimed: “Our God is being attacked; let us defend Him!”

· Jacques Cathelineau (1759–1793)

Known as the “Saint of Anjou”, Jacques Cathelineau was a devout Catholic and a humble peasant. A charismatic leader, he became the commander-in-chief of the Catholic and Royal Army.

Under his leadership, the Vendean army initially achieved several victories. Cathelineau was known for his deep piety and fervent devotion to the cause.

He was mortally wounded in battle in 1793, becoming one of the first great martyrs of the Vendée. His leadership and holiness earned him enduring respect.

· François-Athanase de Charette de la Contrie (1763–1796)

A former French naval officer, Charette became one of the most brilliant and daring leaders of the Vendean resistance.

He led guerilla-style campaigns that confounded the revolutionary forces, using his strategic military expertise to sustain the Catholic cause.

Charette was captured in 1796 and executed. Before his death, he is reported to have said:

“I die for my God, my King, and my country. If I had a thousand lives, I would give them all for this holy cause.”

· Henri de La Rochejaquelein (1772–1794)

At only 20 years old, Henri de La Rochejaquelein became one of the youngest and most inspiring leaders of the Vendean army.

His famous rallying cry, “If I advance, follow me; if I retreat, kill me; if I die, avenge me!”, encapsulates his fearless leadership.

Known for his bravery and loyalty, he fought numerous battles against overwhelming odds. He was killed in 1794 during a skirmish, leaving behind a legacy of valour and faith.

· Charles de Bonchamps (1760–1793)

A seasoned military officer and a deeply religious man, Bonchamps was a major general of the Vendean forces.

Before his death, Bonchamps performed a final act of extraordinary mercy. In October 1793, as he lay dying from wounds, he ordered the release of 5,000 captured revolutionary soldiers, sparing their lives. This act demonstrated his Christian charity even toward his enemies.

His legacy is marked by his courage, chivalry, and magnanimity.

· Louis-Marie de Lescure (1766–1793)

Known as the “Saint of Poitou”, Louis-Marie de Lescure was another nobleman who led the Catholic and Royalist forces with great piety and skill.

Deeply committed to the Catholic faith, he fought courageously but was severely wounded in battle.

On his deathbed, he expressed his enduring faith and hope for the victory of the Vendean cause, saying:

“I die happy; I fought for God and for the King.”

· Jean-Nicolas Stofflet (1753–1796)

A former soldier and gamekeeper, Stofflet became one of the key military leaders of the Vendean army. His experience as a soldier gave him an edge in organising and leading troops.

He fought alongside Charette and Rochejaquelein and was known for his courage in the heat of battle.

Stofflet was executed in 1796, remaining steadfast in his loyalty to the Catholic faith and the royal cause.

· Gaspard de Bernard de Marigny (1754–1794)

A Vendean nobleman and skilled artillery officer, Marigny was instrumental in organizing and directing the Catholic and Royal Army’s artillery.

His contributions significantly bolstered the army’s strength during critical battles.

Marigny’s tragic end came as the Vendean movement began to fracture, but his efforts remain a testament to his devotion to the cause.

· The Martyrs of Avrillé

In addition to military leaders, countless ordinary men, women, and children became martyrs for their faith during the Vendée uprising. One notable example is the Martyrs of Avrillé, a group of faithful Catholics who were massacred by revolutionary forces because of their refusal to renounce the faith.

Their quiet heroism reminds us that the Vendée resistance was not merely a military effort but a spiritual battle fought by devout Catholics.

· Abbé Bernier (1762–1829)

A priest who played a significant role in rallying the people of the Vendée to defend their faith, Abbé Bernier supported the Vendean leaders spiritually and strategically.

Though he later became a controversial figure due to his involvement in negotiations, his early contributions to the Catholic cause were pivotal in uniting the faithful.

· Marie-Adélaïde de La Rochefoucauld (1760-1794)

Women played a critical role in the Vendean resistance, both as supporters and, at times, as combatants. Marie-Adélaïde, a noblewoman and devout Catholic, helped organize aid for the wounded, protected priests, and offered her resources to support the army.

Her courage and selflessness reflected the strong role of women in preserving the faith during the revolutionary persecution.

· St. John Vianney (1786-1859)

Although St. John Vianney lived in the aftermath of the French Revolution and was not one of its martyrs, his early life was marked by its devastation. Born in 1786, he grew up in a France where priests were hunted and the sacraments had to be celebrated in secret. His family attended clandestine Masses celebrated by Refractory priests at great personal risk. It was this underground Church that formed the young John Vianney and inspired his vocation to the priesthood.

St. John Vianney’s life demonstrates that even in the darkest times, God raises up saints to restore the faith. He would later become the holy Curé of Ars, bringing countless souls back to God. His life reminds us that fidelity, even in times of persecution, bears fruit in ways that we cannot always see.

The Role of Modernist Persecution within the Church

While the French Revolution provides a historical example of secular persecution, traditional Catholics today face an increasingly complex and insidious threat: not only are secular governments and cultural elites hostile to the Church, but elements within the Church itself often aid in this persecution.

The rise of modernism—the synthesis of heresies condemned by Pope St. Pius X—has infiltrated all levels of the Church. Modernists seek to reinterpret Catholic doctrine in light of secular ideologies, undermining timeless truths on faith, morality, and liturgy. This manifests in several ways:

· Undermining traditional liturgy

The TLM, which nourished the Church for centuries, is increasingly restricted and marginalised. Many traditional Catholics, who find in this liturgy the fullness of reverence, orthodoxy, and continuity with the past, are treated as pariahs within their own Church. Efforts to suppress the Latin Mass mirror the revolutionary attempts to replace true worship with secularised versions of religion.

· Compromise with secular ideologies

Modernist clergy and bishops often pander to the anti-Christian ideologies of secular society, such as moral relativism, gender ideology, and environmentalism stripped of its Christian context. Rather than preaching the truth boldly, they align themselves with a world that despises Christ and His teachings. Traditional Catholics who resist this compromise are accused of being “rigid,” “schismatic,” or “divisive.”

· Silencing orthodox voices

Faithful clergy, like Archbishop Vigano, Bishop Strickland and before them Archbishop Lefebvre, and laity who speak out against the erosion of doctrine or the secularisation of the Church are often censured, removed from positions of influence, or otherwise marginalized. This internal persecution mimics the revolutionary attempts to silence the Non-Juring clergy.

A Church Driven Underground: A Warning for Our Time

If the current trends continue, it is not unthinkable that traditional Catholics may once again find themselves forced underground. Secular governments, emboldened by the weakening of the Church’s voice, are continuously imposing laws that challenge Catholic teaching on life, marriage, and human nature. Already, faithful Catholics face legal penalties for refusing to conform to gender ideology, celebrating traditional marriage, or upholding the sanctity of life (Isabel Vaughan-Spruce springs to mind).

Worse still, modernist factions within the Church could aid in this persecution, siding with the secular authorities to suppress “rigid” Catholics in the name of “progress” or “unity.” History shows us that during times of trial, apostates and compromisers often align with persecutors, while the faithful remnant is left to suffer for the truth.

The French Revolution reminds us that persecution often begins subtly. The Civil Constitution of the Clergy appeared at first to be a bureaucratic reform, yet it was a direct attack on the Church’s independence and fidelity to Rome. Today, similar efforts may arise under the guise of “synodality,” “adaptation,” or “pastoral care,” leading to demands that Catholics abandon the truth in favour of modern secular values.

Lessons for Traditional Catholics

The underground Church during the French Revolution teaches us how to prepare for the challenges we face today:

· Remain faithful to doctrine and liturgy

The Non-Juring clergy refused to compromise their allegiance to Rome or their fidelity to Catholic doctrine. Today, we must hold fast to the unchanging truths of the faith, the Traditional Latin Mass, and the teachings of the Church Fathers and saints, regardless of external or internal pressure.

· Cultivate a strong community

The underground Church survived because priests and laity supported one another, sharing in sacrifice and devotion. We, too, must form strong, faithful communities that will endure persecution together, strengthening one another through prayer, study, and mutual support.

· Prepare for sacrifice and possible martyrdom

The faithful of revolutionary France risked imprisonment, exile, and death to preserve the faith. We must be prepared to suffer for the truth, trusting in Christ’s words: “Whoever loses his life for my sake and the gospel’s will save it” (Mark 8:35).

· Seek true shepherds

Just as the faithful sought out the Non-Juring priests who remained loyal to the Church, we must look for priests and bishops who uphold the truth with courage, even when secular or modernist forces persecute them.

The underground Church of the French Revolution stands as a powerful reminder that persecution, whether from secular governments or modernist elements within the Church, cannot destroy the faith of those who remain loyal to Christ. Blessed Noël Pinot, the martyrs of the Vendée, and countless other heroes preserved the faith at great personal cost.

Today, traditional Catholics face growing trials that may force them underground once more. But we must take courage, for the faith has survived such times before. The Cross is our hope, and fidelity to Christ will lead to victory.

In the words of St. Athanasius, who defended the faith during another time of crisis:

“They have the buildings, but we have the faith.”

May we, like the martyrs of the French Revolution, remain steadfast in our fidelity to the faith of our fathers, trusting that Christ will sustain us and His Church until the end of time.

“Introibo ad altare Dei”—“I will go unto the altar of God.”

Ave Christus Rex!

Recognise and Resist!

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