JOULAIN, HENRI. — Born on 24 September 1852 at St-Romans-Les-Melle, in the diocese of Poitiers; ordained a priest in 1875, in 1880 he became an Oblate of Mary Immaculate.
In the same year he went to Ceylon, working in the diocese of Jaffna in various missions and finally as superior of the Seminary of St Martin. In 1893 he became bishop of Jaffna. During his episcopate there was continual progress: an increase in the number of Catholics by 15,000, the establishment and development of parishes and stations, and special attention to schools and the press. The mission among the pagans was developed on a large scale, first and foremost through Gnana Prakasar (v.).
The last adherents of the Goan schism in Matotte were brought back to the Church. Bishop J. died on 8 February 1919 at Jaffna.