PINOT, Noël, Blessed. - Martyr of the French Revolution, born at Angers on 19 Dec. 1747, died there on 21 Feb. 1794.
Ordained priest in 1771, he was that same year vicar of Bussé, in 1776 at Corzé, and then in 1781 chaplain at the hospital for the incurable in Angers; in 1788 he became parish priest at Louvoux-Béconnais. After the Civil Constitution of the Clergy was sanctioned (1790), he refused to take the oath, for which he was sentenced to two years of exile, two leagues from his parish; but the victory of the Catholic Vendée restored him in June 1793. He continued his ministry in secret, constantly encouraged, until betrayed by an apostate he was arrested on 9 Feb. 1794, as he was leaving the altar after celebrating Mass. Tried and condemned in Angers on 21 Feb., he was guillotined the same day. He wished to ascend the scaffold dressed in sacred vestments as though ascending to the altar, and before bowing his head, he recited aloud: «Introibo ad altare Dei».
He was beatified on 31 Oct. 1926. Feast day 21 Feb.