CHEVALIER, LÉOPOLD. - French theologian, b. at Malzéville (Meurthe-et-Moselle) on 13 Nov. 1846, d. at Nancy on 12 Aug. 1891. After completing his theological studies at the seminary of Nancy and being ordained priest on 13 Aug. 1871, he was assigned to parochial ministry at the parish of St Leo IX in Nancy, whence he moved on to become professor of philosophy (1874) and of theology (1883) at the seminary of the same city. In his later years he was named honorary canon of the cathedral.
A master of spiritual life, he left an unfinished work intended to embrace three parts, corresponding to the three stages—natural, supernatural, and preternatural—in which a man may find himself as he seeks to direct his spiritual formation. For the various states of Christian life and for the different degrees of perfection he formed and educated him with advice and directives based on the most solid principles of mystical-ascetical and moral-dogmatic science and on the doctrine of the most eminent masters of spiritual life. His works include: *De relationibus inter naturam et gratiam in ordine ad actus eliciendos consideratis* (printed in Nancy, 1881); *Theses theologicae* (ibid., n.d.); *De scientia regiminis animarum supernaturalis* (ibid., n.d.).