TRONSON, LOUIS. - Third superior general of the Sulpicians, b. in Paris on 17 Jan. 1622, d. there on 26 Feb. 1700.
Ordained a priest in 1647, under the direction of J. J. Olier (v.), he exercised his ministry in the parish of St. Sulpice; a notable preacher, in 1654 he obtained the patent of ordinary chaplain to the king; but from 3 March 1656 he renounced everything and entered the Seminary of St. Sulpice. He then became superior of the "Solitude," first director of the Seminary, and finally superior general (1 July 1676).
A profound theologian, he directed many priests and bishops, among them Fénelon. A tenacious opponent of Jansenism and of Quietism, he nonetheless treated people with consideration. He took part in the "conferences of Issy" (1694) and strove, after the condemnation of Fénelon (v. PURE LOVE), to reconcile the contending parties. He was the legislator of the Sulpicians. He gathered together Olier's documents and memoirs and drew up the Réglement de St-Sulpice, which he had approved by François de Harlay, archbishop of Paris (1680). Under his governance the Seminaries of Limoges (1666), Bourges (1679), Autun (1680), Angers (1695) and Tulle (1697) joined St. Sulpice.
Among T.'s works, of special importance are: Forma Cleri, les Examens particuliers (in which, with much practical psychology, he sets out the norms of the priestly life) and his correspondence (more than 14 vols. with more than 5000 letters; partial edition edited by L. Bertrand, 3 vols., Paris 1904).
Bibliography3 works
Michele R. Jeuné