Louismet, Savinien

LOUISMET, SAVINIEN. - Benedictine mystical theologian, in the world Irenée, b. at Sens (France) on 4 April 1858, d. at Buckfast on 19 January 1926. He completed his studies at the cathedral school, then at the minor seminary of Auxerre.

A monk at La Pierre-qui-Vire (1876), a priest in 1882, he exercised the apostolic ministry for 13 years among the Indians of North America, entrusted to a Benedictine abbey. This missionary experience among the Blackfeet made a strong impression on his spirit; he wrote down his experiences day by day and published a part of them in 1899. Having returned to Europe, he was appointed, after a brief stay in Rome, conventual prior of Buckfast, in England, in 1902. Shortly afterwards, the monastery having been erected into an abbey, he gave up the post and lived as a simple monk until the end of his very industrious life of study.

L. treated of the mystical life in an original manner and with great simplicity, identifying it with the fervent Christian life. This drew criticism upon him, but the influence exercised by his nimble treatises, translated into many languages, was notable and profound. Works: Essai sur la connaissance mystique de Dieu, Tours 1922; La vie mystique, Paris 1922; Miracle et mystique, ibid. 1923; La contemplation chrétienne, ibid. 1924; Le mystère de Jésus, ibid. 1925; Initiation mystique, ibid. 1926.

Luigi Arnal