MICHAEL of ST AUGUSTINE. - Carmelite theologian, secular name van Ballaert, born in Brussels on 16 April 1621, died there on 2 February 1684. He taught philosophy and theology and served three times as superior of the Flemish-Brabant province.
His principal work, *Institutionum mysticarum libri IV* (3 vols., Antwerp 1671), gathers and organically develops earlier pamphlets, namely: *Introductio in terram Carmeli et gustatio fructuum illius* (Brussels 1659); *Pia vita in Christo pro incipientibus, proficientibus et perfectis* (ibid. 1661 in Flemish; ibid. 1663 in Latin); *Instructio* (Malines 1669) in Flemish, which alone comprised four treatises on total self-denial and detachment from creatures, the life of the soul and the divine, the Marian life, and adoration in spirit and truth. Of singular worth is the treatise *De vita Mariaeformi et Mariana in Maria propter Mariam*, which sets forth perfect devotion to the Virgin and was published in 1671 (Italian trans., 2nd ed., Rome 1950). The writings of Fr Michael of St Augustine are distinguished by profound theological learning, solid mystical experience, and tender Marian piety.