AVRILLON, JEAN-BAPTISTE-ELIE. – Ascetical theologian, born on 1 January 1652 in Paris, where he died on 16 May 1729. There he professed the rule of the Minims (1671). Ordained a priest, he was directed toward preaching; in order to succeed better in it, he studied Hebrew and Sacred Scripture from the original texts. For 53 years, 30 of them in Paris, he devoted himself fruitfully to preaching, and was venerated everywhere.
He published many ascetical works, excellent guides to a life of love of God in union with the mysteries of Jesus Christ; most of them went through many editions and translations. Among the more recent Italian ones: L'Avvento santificato (Rome 1894); Condotta cristiana per la festa dell'Assunzione di Maria (there 1894); Meditazioni sulla S. Comunione (Venice 1898); La Quaresima santificata (Brescia 1932). His major works are his three Traités sur l'amour de Dieu (Paris 1740); Réflexions théologiques, morales et affectives sur les attributs de Dieu..., pour chaque jour du mois (there 1705). An excellent preparation for death is the Commentaire affectif sur le Psaume Miserere (Paris 1728, later published in Italian); an excellent course of spiritual exercises is Retraite de dix jours (there 1713).
A.’s ascetical doctrine, inspired by the Berullian school, is markedly affective in character. Through reflections and sentiments, it leads to the practice of the imitation of Christ, throughout the various days of the month and year, with repetitions on each feast and during each liturgical period. A. greatly spread devotion to the «divine infancy of Jesus Christ» (Réflexions, sentiments et pratiques sur la divine Enfance de J.-C., Paris 1719), following Bérulle, Amelote, and Sister Margherita del S.SACRAMENTI (v.).