LE NOBLETZ, MICHEL, venerable.—Popular missionary in Brittany, born at Kerodern in Plouguerneau (formerly in the diocese of Léon) on 29 September 1577, died at Le Conquet on 5 May 1652. Ordained a priest in Paris in 1607, he returned to Brittany and, after an unsuccessful attempt to enter the Dominicans, became a missionary and travelled through almost all Lower Brittany, preaching, catechizing, and adopting as the central theme of his preaching contempt for the world, in accordance with a vision he had experienced during his studies.
He soon established his apostolic centre at Douarnenez, where he remained for more than 20 years and perfected his effective method of teaching through tableaux designed to make a vivid impression on the faithful. For each tableau he wrote commentaries rich in psychological insight and rigorous spirituality. Forced to leave Douarnenez because of his confrères’ lack of understanding, he withdrew to Le Conquet, where he lived in solitude, in great poverty and the utmost austerity, until his death. Many miracles are attributed to him. Pius X proclaimed the heroic nature of his virtues on 14 December 1915.