GUICHARD, SIMON. - Theologian and preacher of the Order of Minims, born at Étampes near Paris around 1500, died at Aix-en-Provence in 1574. Already a priest and having obtained academic degrees at the Sorbonne, he entered the Minims in Paris. A man of great piety and learning, he served several times as provincial of Gascony, then as general assistant (1535-38), and finally as superior general (1547-49).
Highly esteemed for his learning, he participated in the Council of Trent under Paul III. Upon returning to France, he devoted himself to preaching, combating Calvinist heresy with such ardor that he was called "hammer of heretics and athlete of the Catholic Church." He effected many conversions, but also drew upon himself the hatred of the heretics, by whom he was inflicted with serious wounds that caused his death. Regarded as a martyr of the Catholic faith, his name is included, with high praise, in the Index of the Saints of Lyon, in which city G. had preached extensively and founded a convent of his Order. He worked with great dedication to introduce the Society of Jesus into France.