PINOT, NOËL, blessed. - Martyr of the French Revolution, b. at Angers on 19 Dec. 1747, d. there on 21 Feb. 1794.
Ordained priest in 1771, in the same year he became vicar of Bousse, in 1776 of Corzé, then in 1781 chaplain at the hospital for incurables at Angers; in 1788 parish priest at Louroux-Béconnais. When the Civil Constitution of the Clergy (1790) was sanctioned, he refused to take the oath to it, and was therefore sentenced to two years of exile, two leagues from his parish; but the victory of the Catholic Vendée restored him there in June 1793. He continued his ministry in hiding, under constant surveillance, until, betrayed by an apostate, he was arrested on 9 Feb. 1794 as he emerged at the altar to celebrate Mass. Tried and condemned at Angers on 21 Feb., he was guillotined that same day. He wished to ascend the scaffold clothed
in sacred vestments as though ascending to the altar, and before bowing his head he recited aloud: «Introibio ad Altare Dei».
He was beatified on 31 Oct. 1926. Feast: 21 Feb.
BIRL.: C. Sauvé, Un admirable martyr sous la Terreur: N. P., Paris 1905; F. Uauers, N. P., curé du Louroux-Béconnais, Angers 1912; A. Crosnier, N. P., 2nd ed., Paris 1926; A. de Ségur, Vita del b. N. P., Milan 1926. Celestino Testore