Fernand

Fernand (PHERNANDUS, FERDINAND, or FERRAND), a Belgian monk and reformer, was born at Bruges in 1450. He either lost his sight in childhood or was born blind, which, however, did not prevent him from studying philosophy, theology, rhetoric, poetry, and music. He pursued these studies in Paris, and was appointed by Charles VIII to the chair of belles-lettres in the University of Paris. It is possible that he may also have occupied the chair of theology. In 1490 he entered the order of the Benedictines, and soon after, by special dispensation from the pope, he was allowed, in spite of his blindness, to take deacon's orders, and began to preach. He died in 1496. His blindness did not prevent him from writing many books, among which are Epistolae Caroli Phernandi, Brugensis (Paris, no date, 4to):-De Animi Tranquillitate libri duo (Paris, 1512):-Speculum monasticae disciplinae Patris Benedicti Magni, etc. (Par. 1515, fol.): --Elegiae de Contemptu Mundi; Odarum in laudem Christi Libri (Paris, 1815).-Hoefer, Nouv. Biog. Generale, 17:455.