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 attained academic degrees at the Sorbonne, he entered the Minims in Paris. Of great piety and learning, he served multiple terms as provincial of Gascony, then as general assistant (1535–38) and finally as superior general (1547–49).
Highly esteemed for his learning, he took part in the Council of Trent under Paul III. Upon returning to France, he devoted himself to preaching, combating Calvinist heresy with such zeal that he was called the “hammer of heretics and athlete of the Catholic Church.” He brought about many conversions, but also incurred the hatred of heretics, who, through severe wounds inflicted upon him, caused his death. Considered a martyr for the Catholic faith, his name is inscribed, with high praise, in the Martyrology of Lyon, a city where Guichard had preached extensively and founded a convent of his Order. He worked with great effort to introduce the Society of Jesus into France.