Even as a seminarian he distinguished himself by his effective and persuasive art of speaking to his companions and to the people, so that he was immediately entrusted with the catechesis of the newly-communicated and with preaching in certain institutions. Ordained priest in 1835, after a brief period of ministry at Salvetat he was called to Montpellier and entrusted with the missions in the diocese, in which the fruit gathered surpassed all expectation. Later he preached throughout the whole of southern France. For the good of the sick he wished to found a Congregation, which the bishop approved in 1845 and which began with two novices under the direction of Virginia Montegnol de Cavillac. As vocations increased, the program of apostolate was also expanded, adding to the care of the sick that of orphan girls to be educated also in work, of infants and children, and perpetual adoration. He also fostered with excellent affection the society of diocesan missionaries, which he found reduced to a few persons. His cause of beatification was introduced on 14 Dec. 1914.
SOULAS, ANDRÉ
BIBL.: AAS, 37 (1904-1905), pp. 469-73; Positio super introductione causae, Rome 1914.