Bridaine (Brydaine), Jacques

BRIDAINE (BRYDAINE), JACQUES: French Roman Catholic preacher; b. at Chusclan (15 m. n.n.w. of Avignon), Department of Gard, Mar. 21, 1701; d. at Roquemaure, near Avignon, Dec. 22, 1767. He studied at the Jesuit College and the Mission Seminary of St. Charles de la Croix in Avignon; visited as a missionary preacher or evangelist nearly every city and village of France, producing a profound impression by his somber and vehement sermons. He almost always preached extemporaneously, appealed to the emotions of his hearers, and sought to terrify them. He prepared a volume of Cantiques spirituels (Montpellier, 1748), which has passed through fifty editions. Certain works have been published from his manuscripts, including Lectures et méditations (Avignon, 1821); Réglement de vie pour une pieuse demoiselle (1821); and five volumes of sermons (1823).

Bibliography: Abbé Carron, Le Modèle des prêtres, Paris, 1804.