BOYLESVE, MARIN de. - French Jesuit writer, b. at La Coltrie (near Angers) on 28 Nov. 1813, d. at Le Mans on 22 Feb. 1892. Having entered religion in 1831, he taught literature, history, and philosophy in various colleges, especially at Brugelette and Le Mans; he exercised the ministry for many years in the latter city. Militant in character and highly active, he was an exceedingly prolific writer in various genres.
His publications, listed by Sommervogel, number no fewer than 164: manuals of literature, philosophy, and catechism, hymns, school dramas, and various series of apologetic pamphlets. His many devotional pamphlets were widely circulated. He promoted devotion to St Joseph (St Joseph, more than 45 editions) and especially that to the Sacred Heart of Jesus (Le mois du S. Coeur, more than 100 editions). One of his initiatives in 1870 gave rise to the French “national vow,” which led to the erection of the basilica of the Sacred Heart at Montmartre.