POULAIN, AUGUSTIN-FRANÇOIS. — Jesuit, writer on mysticism, b. at Cherbourg on 15 December 1836, d. in Paris on 19 July 1919.
Having entered the Society of Jesus in 1858, from 1881 to 1897 he was a professor at Angers and deputy director of the Catholic Faculties; in 1898 he moved to Paris, where he directed the Congregation of Artists. His principal work was Des grâces d'oraison (Paris 1901), frequently reprinted (10th ed., Paris 1922) and translated into various languages (Italian translation, Turin 1910). The author, who himself had mystical graces, above all wished to produce a practical and clear work; hence it is descriptive rather than doctrinal (it carefully presents, classifies, and divides the various experiences of the saints and masters of the spiritual life). This proved extremely useful and helped to open the way to a broader knowledge of mystical phenomena and to the revival of this field of study. Also noteworthy are: La mystique de st Jean de la Croix (Paris 1893); Lucie Christine, Journal intime (ibid. 1910).