Etienne Binet

Etienne Binet

Jesuit author, born at Dijon, France, 1569; died at Paris, 1639. He entered the Society of Jesus in 1690 and was rector of the colleges at Rouen and Paris, and provincial of Paris, Lyons, and Champagne. He was the author of forty-five published works, the first of which, on devotion to the Blessed Virgin, passed through eleven editions. His "Flowers from the Psalms" (Rouen, 1615) was translated into Italian and Latin; "Consolation and Joy for the Sick and Afflicted" (Rouen, 1616), was republished fourteen times in eight years; an "Essay on Nature's Wonders" (Rouen, 1621) was one of the most popular scientific works of the century; it passed through 24 editions before 1658. Father Binet published a "Life of St. Ignatius" and a "Life of St. Francis Xavier," in 1622, when these saints were canonized. His "Vies es SS. Elzear et Dauphine" was translated into English (London, 1638); "Vie de Ste. Aldegonde was published in English at Paris in 1632; "Purgatory Surveyed," a translation by Father Ashby (London, 1663) was brought out again by Father Anderdon (London, 1874); "The Rich Man Saved by the Golden Gate of Heaven; Motives and Power of Almsgiving" (Paris, 1627) is dedicated to his mother, who was still living at the age of eighty-five (Latin, Italian, and German translations of this work were published); "Mary, God's Masterpiece" (Paris, 1634) had six editions. Two years later he published a work which was received with the greatest enthusiasm: "How Should Religious Superiors Govern?" Twelve editions editions of this were published in French, three in Latin, three in Italian, and one in German. "Divine Favors Granted to St. Joseph" (Paris, 1639) was translated into English (London, 1890). Father Binet's works are marked by a clear, graceful style, and quite an original turn of thought; they abound in apt quotations from Scriptures and the Fathers; although written 250 years ago they still furnish both pleasurable and profitable spiritual reading. Father Binet was the school-fellow and life-long friend of St. Francis de Sales, whose cheerful spirituality his own so much resembles.

Southwell, Bibl.; Papillon, Bibl. des auteurs de Bourgogne; Sommervogel, Bibl., I, 1487-1506; Butenschoen in Archiv. litt. del l'Europe, III, 315-325; Hamy, Notice bibliographique, prefaced to his edition of Father Binet's Des attraits... de l'amour de Jesus Christ (Paris, 1900).

PATRICK H. KELLY