COLOMBIÈRE, CLAUDE DE LA, ST.

Missionary priest of the Society of Jesus; ascetical writer; b. Saint-Symphorien d'Ozen (near Grenoble, between Lyons and Vienne), Dauphiné, France, Feb. 2, 1641; d. Paray-le-Monial, France, Feb. 15, 1682. Born of noble parentage, Claude entered the Society of Jesus at Avignon (Oct. 25, 1659). Thereafter he taught grammar and literature at Trinity College, Lyons (1661–66), then took up theological studies in Paris at Clermont College. The year after his ordination (April 6, 1669), he returned to Lyons to teach rhetoric (1670–73). He began his tertianship (final year of spiritual formation for the Jesuits) following a year-long assignment as preacher in the Jesuit church of Lyons.

Having taken final vows, in 1675, Colombière was named superior of the Jesuit house at Paray-le-Monial, where he demonstrated academic brilliance and became the spiritual director of St. Margaret Mary alacoque. Thereafter he was a zealous apostle of devotion to the Sacred Heart of Jesus, first celebrated privately by the two saints on June 21, 1675. This devotion, centered on the humanity of Christ, was aimed at countering jansenism. In October of 1676, Colombière was sent to London, England, as chaplain to Mary Beatrice d'Este, the duchess of York, wife of the future King James II. From England he continued his spiritual direction of St. Margaret Mary by letter. Imprisoned as a conspirator in the fictitious oates plot to overthrow King Charles II, Colombière was spared death because of his position in the household of the duchess of York and the protection of King Louis XIV; however, Columbière was banished (1679).

Columbière returned to Lyons where he was spiritual director to the young Jesuits, then repaired to Paray-le-Monial, where he died. He was buried in the Jesuit chapel at Paray-le-Monial; a church was built over the same spot in 1685. He was beatified by Pius XI, June 16, 1929, and canonized by John Paul II in Rome, May 31, 1992. Patron of toy makers and turners.

Feast: Feb. 15.

Bibliography: c. de la colombiÈre, Escritos espirituales del Beato Claudio de la Colombière, S.J. (Bilbao, Spain 1979); Oeuvres du R. P. Claude de la Colombière (Avignon 1832; Paris 1864), which includes "Pious Reflections," "Meditations on the Passion," and "Retreat and Spiritual Letters." g. guitton, Le bienheureux Claude La Colombière: apôtre du Sacré-Cúur, 1641–1682: d'après ses úuvres (sermons et correspondance) et de nombreux documents inédits … (Paris 1981); Perfect Friend: The Life of Blessed Claude La Colombière, SJ, tr. w. j. young (St. Louis 1956). r. h. lavigne, The Life of St. Claude de la Colombiere: Spiritual director of St. Margaret Mary (Boston 1992); Special messenger (Boston 1978). w. lÜben, Der ehrwürdige diener Gottes p. Claudius de la Colombière (New York 1884). j. n. tylenda, Jesuit Saints & Martyrs (Chicago 1998) 44–47.

[k. i. rabenstein]