François Nepveu

Who was François Nepveu?

François Nepveu was a writer on ascetical subjects. He entered the novitiate of the Society of Jesus 12 October 1654, when but fifteen years old. Successively professor of Grammar, of Humanities and Rhetoric for six years, and of Philosophy for eight years, he was afterwards employed in the government. In 1689 he was made superior at Nantes; in 1684 rector at Vannes; in 1694 and 1700 rector at Orléans; in 1697 at Rouen; in 1704 Rennes where he was director of retreats until his death, 17 February 1708.

Father Nepvue, described as a man of great zeal and intelligence, wrote voluminously on ascetical subjects, and some of his works have gone through many editions, having been translated into various languages. Among his more important works are numbered the following: "De l'amour de Notre Seigneur Jésus-Christ, et des Moyens de l'acquérir", has gone through no less than fourteen editions in France, selections from it were printed in the "Petite Bibliothèque Chrétienne", issued by A. Vromont, Brussels, 1893, and it has been translated into German, Italian, Spanish, Flemish, Polish, and English, ed. by the Rev. Henry J.