BINET, François. – Theologian and preacher of the Order of Minims, born in 1452, died in 1524, renowned for holiness in the convent of Trinità dei Monti.
He was prior of the Benedictine abbey of Marmoutiers near Tours when he met St. Francis of Paola, whom Louis XI had summoned to obtain healing. He was so struck by the austerity of the Calabrian saint’s life that he became his disciple and embraced the rule of the Minims. He became very dear to the saint. As his secretary, he assisted in drafting the Ceremonial of the Order.
At the death of the saint (1507), he was elected in Rome, at the first Chapter, as general of the Order. For several triennia, he alternated the supreme office with that of procurator general, working with such zeal for the nascent Order that he earned the title of “second founder.”
He promoted the glorification of St. Francis, bringing the cause to completion: six years after the saint’s death (1513) he achieved beatification, and after another six years (1519) canonization. The chronicles of his Order give him the title of blessed.