TRONSON, LOUIS

TRONSON, LOUIS. — Third superior general of the Sulpicians, born in Paris on 17 January 1622, died there on 26 February 1700.

Ordained a priest in 1647, under the direction of J. J. Olier (v.), he exercised his ministry in the parish of S. Sulpizio; a notable preacher, in 1654 he obtained the brevet appointing him ordinary chaplain to the king; but on 3 March 1656 he renounced everything and entered the Seminary of S. Sulpizio. He subsequently 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, including Fénelon. A tenacious opponent of Jansenism and Quietism, he nevertheless treated people with consideration. He took part in the « conférences d'Issy » (1694) and endeavored, after Fénelon’s condemnation (v. AMORE PURO), to reconcile the disputants. He was the legislator of the Sulpicians. He collected the documents and reminiscences of Olier and drafted 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 S. Sulpizio.

Among T.’s works, the following are of particular importance: Forma Cleri, les Examens particuliers (in which he sets forth the norms of priestly life with considerable practical psychology) and his correspondence (more than 14 vols. containing over 5,000 letters; partially edited by L. Bertrand, 3 vols., Paris 1904).