BOYLESVE, MARIN de. - French Jesuit writer, b. at La Coltrie (near Angers) on 28 Nov. 1813, d. at Le Mans on 22 Feb. 1892. He entered the religious life in 1831 and 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. Of a militant character and great energy, he was a most prolific writer in various genres.
His publications, listed by Sommervogel, number no less than 164; manuals of literature, philosophy, and catechism, hymns, school dramas, and various series of apologetic pamphlets. His many devotional pamphlets spread widely. He promoted devotion to St Joseph (St Joseph, over 45 editions) and especially to the Sacred Heart of Jesus (Le mois du S. Coeur, over 100 editions). An initiative of his in 1870 was at the origin of the French “national vow,” which led to the building of the basilica of the Sacred Heart at Montmartre.