GAY, CHARLES-LOUIS. — Ascetical theologian, born in Paris on 1 October 1815 into a bourgeois family indifferent to religious matters; died there on 18 January 1892.
He studied at the Collège royal de St-Louis and became a Voltairian during his philosophy course. After a year of law, he attended the Conservatory of Music and formed a close friendship with C. Gounod. On reading Sainte-Beuve’s novel, l’Odopti, he felt drawn to God. Voltaire’s hatred of Christ revolted him. Listening to Lacordaire at Notre Dame in Paris, he began his conversion, which was completed by his sister’s governess in 1863. Aspiring to the priesthood, he left for Rome in 1837, and, having returned to Saint-Sulpice, was born to the altar in 1845. He first lived with Mgr. de Ségur and then, on the advice of the Curé d'Ats, followed Mgr. Pie, bishop of Poitiers, as vicar general. He often gave the «Euricii» to religious communities, especially to the Carmelite nuns, and was therefore called «the man of Carmel». Having come to Rome in 1867 as a theologian of the First Vatican Council, he obtained for s. Francesco di Sales the title of Doctor of the Holy Church. Returning to Poitiers, he became in 1877 auxiliary to Cardinal Pie, with the title of bishop of Antibodon; upon the latter’s death, he was forced to return to Paris, where he devoted himself particularly to the apostolate of Catholic workers’ associations.
The fruits of his preaching were the following books, published in Paris: De la vie et des vertus chrétiennes considérées dans l'état religieux (1874); Conférences aux mères chrétiennes (1877); Élévations sur la vie et la doctrine de N.S.J.C. (1879); Vie de la r. m. Thérèse de Jésus (Xavérine de Maistre; 1882); Entretiens sur les mystères du Rosaire (1887); Instructions en forme de retraite (1890); posthumous works: Instructions pour les personnes du monde (1912); Sermons de Carême, with a preface by Mgr. d'Hulst (1894); Sermons d'Avent (1895); Correspondance (2 vols., 1899); Lettres de direction spirituelle (4 vols., 1902-1908); Nouveaux sermons (1914).
In his writings he displays an artistic sense, emphasizing the harmony and beauty of the Christian mystery. Following in the footsteps of Scotus and s. Francesco di Sales, he proposes an ascetical doctrine rich in dogmatic content. A genuine disciple of de Bérulle and Thomassin, G. belongs to the French school of the Oratory.