April 2 – St. Francis of Paola and the Bartlett Pear
The Bartlett pear is called “The Good Christian” in France, after St. Francis of Paola introduced it
‘poire bon chretien’ (good Christian pear)
“Said to have originated in Calabria in southern Italy, Bartletts
probably were introduced to France by St. Francis of Paola. St. Francis
brought a young tree as a gift for King Louis XI of France, who had
summoned him in the hope that the saint would miraculously cure the
king’s many illnesses. When the king died in 1483, St. Francis returned
to Italy, but he left behind the legacy of his pear tree, called by the
French the ‘poire bon chretien’ (good Christian pear).”
Nick Malgieri is the author of “Perfect Cakes” and “A Baker’s Tour” (HarperCollins) and “Perfect Light Desserts” (Morrow).
http://www.washingtontimes.com/news/2007/sep/19/heavenly-32bartletts/
Most, if not all, of the great advances in science and even horticulture came about by Catholics. There is a reason for this.
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