Henri Brémond
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Henri Brémond (31 July 1865 – 17 August 1933) was a French literary scholar and philosopher, Catholic priest, and sometime
Jesuit , image = Ihs-logo.svg , image_size = 175px , caption = ChristogramOfficial seal of the Jesuits , abbreviation = SJ , nickname = Jesuits , formation = , founders ...
. He was one of the theological
modernists Modernism is both a philosophy, philosophical and arts movement that arose from broad transformations in Western world, Western society during the late 19th and early 20th centuries. The movement reflected a desire for the creation of new fo ...
.


Biography

Henri Marie Brémond was born in
Aix-en-Provence Aix-en-Provence (, , ; oc, label= Provençal, Ais de Provença in classical norm, or in Mistralian norm, ; la, Aquae Sextiae), or simply Aix ( medieval Occitan: ''Aics''), is a city and commune in southern France, about north of Marseille. ...
, the son of Pierre and Thomasine Pons Brémond. His father was a notary; his mother died when he was fourteen. Three of his brothers became priests, two of them Jesuits. A sister became a nun. He attended the College du Sacré-Coeur in Aix. At the age of seventeen, he joined the
Society of Jesus , image = Ihs-logo.svg , image_size = 175px , caption = ChristogramOfficial seal of the Jesuits , abbreviation = SJ , nickname = Jesuits , formation = , founders ...
. He served his novitiate in
Sidmouth Sidmouth () is a town on the English Channel in Devon, South West England, southeast of Exeter. With a population of 12,569 in 2011, it is a tourist resort and a gateway to the Jurassic Coast World Heritage Site. A large part of the town has ...
, Devon, and received orders in 1892. He then taught for two years."Henri Brémond", Académie française
/ref> In 1899, he became the editor of the French Jesuit review '' Études''. Brémond's early works, such as ''L'Inquiétude religieuse'' (1901) dealt with religion and spirituality. He left the Society of Jesus in 1904, but remained a priest. In the summer of 1909 he was suspended for an address he gave at the funeral of his friend, the modernist
George Tyrrell George Tyrrell (6 February 1861 – 15 July 1909) was an Anglo-Irish Catholic priest and a leading modernist theologian and scholar. A convert from Anglicanism, Tyrrell joined the Jesuit order in 1880. His attempts to adapt Catholic theology ...
. Brémond made a
sign of the cross Making the sign of the cross ( la, signum crucis), or blessing oneself or crossing oneself, is a ritual blessing made by members of some branches of Christianity. This blessing is made by the tracing of an upright cross or + across the body with ...
over Tyrrell's grave, for which he was temporarily suspended '' a divinis'' by Bishop
Amigo Amigo(s) (Portuguese and Spanish for ''male friend'') may refer to: People * Carlos Amigo Vallejo (born 1934), Spanish Roman Catholic archbishop emeritus of Seville Places Facilities * Amigos School, a bilingual primary school in Cambridge, Mas ...
, but his faculties to celebrate Mass were restored later that year. Brémond's attention then turned to the subject of religious sentiment. The same month that he made his submission to the bishop, Brémond began a series of articles in the ''
Annales de philosophie chrétienne Annals are a concise form of historical writing which record events chronologically, year by year. The equivalent word in Latin and French is ''annales'', which is used untranslated in English in various contexts. List of works with titles contai ...
'', which were then published as ''Apologie pour Fénelon'' (1910). French historian of spirituality Émile Goichot sees an explicit "...parallel between Brémond's refusal to disown Tyrrell at his death and Fénelon's conduct in relation to adameGuyon". Brémond became a prolific author of books on literary topics and Catholicism. Brémond's magnum opus was his ''Histoire littéraire du sentiment religieux en France''. He wrote for '' Le Correspondant'', ''
Revue des deux mondes The ''Revue des deux Mondes'' (, ''Review of the Two Worlds'') is a monthly French-language literary, cultural and current affairs magazine that has been published in Paris since 1829. According to its website, "it is today the place for debates a ...
'' and the ''
Revue de Paris ''Revue de Paris'' was a French literary magazine founded in 1829 by Louis-Désiré Véron. After two years Veron left the magazine to head the Paris Opera The Paris Opera (, ) is the primary opera and ballet company of France. It was founded ...
''. He had a permanent interest in English topics, e. g. public schools (Thring of Uppingham), the evolution of Anglican clergy (Walter Lake, J. R. Green) and wrote a study of the psychology of
John Henry Newman John Henry Newman (21 February 1801 â€“ 11 August 1890) was an English theologian, academic, intellectual, philosopher, polymath, historian, writer, scholar and poet, first as an Anglican ministry, Anglican priest and later as a Catholi ...
(1906) (well before
Geoffrey Faber Sir Geoffrey Cust Faber (23 August 1889, Great Malvern – 31 March 1961) was a British academic, publisher, and poet. He was a nephew of the noted Catholic convert and hymn writer, Father Frederick William Faber, C.O., founder of the Brompton ...
's attempt). ''Sainte Chantal'', published in 1912, was placed on the ''
Index Librorum Prohibitorum The ''Index Librorum Prohibitorum'' ("List of Prohibited Books") was a list of publications deemed heretical or contrary to morality by the Sacred Congregation of the Index (a former Dicastery of the Roman Curia), and Catholics were forbidden ...
'' in 1913. André Blanchet argues that the book's condemnation was not only due to Brémond's unconventional treatment of the relationship between
Jane Frances de Chantal Jane Frances de Chantal, VHM (born Jeanne-Françoise Frémyot, Baronness of Chantal; 28 January 1572 – 13 December 1641) was a French Catholic noble widow and nun who was beatified in 1751 and canonized in 1767. She founded the Order of the Visi ...
and
Francis de Sales Francis de Sales (french: François de Sales; it, Francesco di Sales; 21 August 156728 December 1622) was a Bishop of Geneva and is revered as a saint in the Catholic Church. He became noted for his deep faith and his gentle approach to ...
, but also because of his friendship with Tyrrell, and his portrayal of Fenelon's arch-critic Bishop
Jacques-Bénigne Bossuet Jacques-Bénigne Lignel Bossuet (; 27 September 1627 – 12 April 1704) was a French bishop and theologian, renowned for his sermons and other addresses. He has been considered by many to be one of the most brilliant orators of all time and a m ...
in ''Apologie pour Fénelon'', an opinion in which Alastair Guinan concurs.Guinan, Alastair. "Portrait of a Devout Humanist: M.l'Abbe Henri Brémond", ''Harvard Theological Review'', 47, 1954, p.31 Brémond became a member of the
Académie française An academy (Attic Greek: Ἀκαδήμεια; Koine Greek Ἀκαδημία) is an institution of secondary education, secondary or tertiary education, tertiary higher education, higher learning (and generally also research or honorary membershi ...
succeeding
Louis Duchesne Louis Marie Olivier Duchesne (; 13 September 1843 – 21 April 1922) was a French priest, philologist, teacher and a critical historian of Christianity and Roman Catholic liturgy and institutions. Life Descended from a family of Breton sailors, ...
, being elected in 1923 to the seat number 36. He was also awarded the
Légion d'honneur The National Order of the Legion of Honour (french: Ordre national de la Légion d'honneur), formerly the Royal Order of the Legion of Honour ('), is the highest French order of merit, both military and civil. Established in 1802 by Napoleon ...
. He died in
Arthez-d'Asson Arthez-d'Asson ( oc, Artés d'Asson) is a commune in the Pyrénées-Atlantiques department in the Nouvelle-Aquitaine region of south-western France. The inhabitants of the commune are known as ''Arthéziens'' or ''Arthéziennes'' Geography Arth ...
. Henri Brémond died in
Arthez-d'Asson Arthez-d'Asson ( oc, Artés d'Asson) is a commune in the Pyrénées-Atlantiques department in the Nouvelle-Aquitaine region of south-western France. The inhabitants of the commune are known as ''Arthéziens'' or ''Arthéziennes'' Geography Arth ...
, in the
Pyrénées-Atlantiques Pyrénées-Atlantiques (; Gascon Occitan: ''Pirenèus Atlantics''; eu, Pirinio Atlantiarrak or ) is a department in the southwest corner of France and of the region of Nouvelle-Aquitaine. Named after the Pyrenees mountain range and the Atlanti ...
department Department may refer to: * Departmentalization, division of a larger organization into parts with specific responsibility Government and military *Department (administrative division), a geographical and administrative division within a country, ...
of France, and was buried in the Saint-Pierre Cemetery of
Aix-en-Provence Aix-en-Provence (, , ; oc, label= Provençal, Ais de Provença in classical norm, or in Mistralian norm, ; la, Aquae Sextiae), or simply Aix ( medieval Occitan: ''Aics''), is a city and commune in southern France, about north of Marseille. ...
.


Works

*''L'Inquiétude religieuse. Aubes et lendemains de conversion'' (1901) *''Âmes religieuses'' (1902) *''L'enfant et la vie'' (1902) *''Le Bienheureux
Thomas More Sir Thomas More (7 February 1478 – 6 July 1535), venerated in the Catholic Church as Saint Thomas More, was an English lawyer, judge, social philosopher, author, statesman, and noted Renaissance humanist. He also served Henry VIII as Lord ...
1478-1535'' (1904) as'' Sir Thomas More'' (1913) translated by Henry Child *''Le charme d'Athènes et autres essais'' (1905) with Jean and André Bremond *''Newman, essai de biographie psychologique'' (1906) and translations from
J. H. Newman John Henry Newman (21 February 1801 â€“ 11 August 1890) was an English theologian, academic, intellectual, philosopher, polymath, historian, writer, scholar and poet, first as an Anglican ministry, Anglican priest and later as a Catholi ...
, as ''The Mystery of Newman'' (1907) translated by H. C. Corrance *'' Gerbet'' (1907) *''La Littérature religieuse d'avant-hier et d'aujourd'hui'' (1908) *''La Provence mystique au XVIIe siècle: Antoine Yvan et Madeleine Martin'' (1908) *''Nicole'' (1909) *''L’évolution du clergé anglican'' (1909) *''Apologie pour Fénelon'' (1910), *''Sainte
Chantal Chantal () is a feminine given name of French origin. The name Chantal can be traced back to the Old Occitan word ''cantal'', meaning "stone." It came into popular use as a given name in honor of the Catholic saint, Jeanne de Chantal. It may als ...
'' (1572-1641) (1912) *''Textes choisis de
Bossuet Bossuet is a French surname. Notable people with the surname include: * Jacques-Bénigne Bossuet (1627–1704), French bishop and theologian, uncle of Louis * Louis Bossuet Louis Bossuet (22 February 1663 – 15 January 1742) was a French parle ...
'' (1913) *''Histoire littéraire du sentiment religieux en France depuis la fin des guerres de religion jusqu'à nos jours'' (from 1916 to 1936) 11 volumes, as ''A Literary History of Religious Thought in France'' (1928) translated by K. L. Montgomery *''Anthologie des écrivains catholiques, prosateurs français du XVIIème siècle'' (1919) with Charles Grolleau *''Revue dominicaine'' (1920) *''Pour le Romantisme'' (1923) *''Les deux musiques de la prose'' (1924) *''
Maurice Barrès Auguste-Maurice Barrès (; 19 August 1862 – 4 December 1923) was a French novelist, journalist and politician. Spending some time in Italy, he became a figure in French literature with the release of his work ''The Cult of the Self'' in 1888. ...
'' (1924) *''Le roman et l'histoire d'une conversion.
Ulric Guttinguer Ulric Guttinguer (31 January 1787, in Rouen – 21 September 1866, in Paris Paris () is the capital and most populous city of France, with an estimated population of 2,165,423 residents in 2019 in an area of more than 105 km² (41 s ...
et
Sainte-Beuve Charles Augustin Sainte-Beuve (; 23 December 1804 – 13 October 1869) was a French literary critic. Early life He was born in Boulogne, educated there, and studied medicine at the Collège Charlemagne in Paris (1824–27). In 1828, he se ...
'' (1925) *''Manuel illustré de la littérature catholique en France de 1870 à nos jours'' (1925) with others *''Entretiens avec
Paul Valéry Ambroise Paul Toussaint Jules Valéry (; 30 October 1871 – 20 July 1945) was a French poet, essayist, and philosopher. In addition to his poetry and fiction (drama and dialogues), his interests included aphorisms on art, history, letters, mus ...
'' (1926) with Frédéric Lefevre *''Sainte Catherine d'Alexandrie'' (1926) *''La Poésie pure; Un débat sur la poésie. La poésie et les poètes'' (1926) with *''Prière et Poésie'' (1926) as ''Prayer and Poetry: A Contribution To Poetical Theory'' (1927) translated by Algar Thorold *''Introduction à la philosophie de la prière'' (1928) *''L'Abbé Tempête: Armand de Rancé, Réformateur de la Trappe'' (1929) as ''The Thundering Abbot'' (1930) translated by F. J. Sheed *''Divertissements devant l'arche'' (1930) *''
Racine Jean-Baptiste Racine ( , ) (; 22 December 163921 April 1699) was a French dramatist, one of the three great playwrights of 17th-century France, along with Molière and Corneille as well as an important literary figure in the Western traditio ...
et
Valéry The French name Valery () is a male given name or surname of Germanic origin ''Walaric'' (see Walric of Leuconay), that has often been confused in modern times with the Latin name ''Valerius''—that explains the variant spelling Valéry (). The S ...
. Notes sur l'initiation poétique'' (1930) *''Un clerc qui n'a pas trahi:
Alfred Loisy Alfred Firmin Loisy (; 28 February 18571 June 1940) was a French Roman Catholicism, Roman Catholic priest, professor and theology, theologian generally credited as a founder of Modernism (Roman Catholicism), modernism in the Roman Catholic Church. ...
d'après ses mémoires'' (1931) *''La querelle du pur amour au temps de
Louis XIII Louis XIII (; sometimes called the Just; 27 September 1601 – 14 May 1643) was King of France from 1610 until his death in 1643 and King of Navarre (as Louis II) from 1610 to 1620, when the crown of Navarre was merged with the French crown ...
. et
Jean-Pierre Camus Jean-Pierre Camus (November 3, 1584 – April 26, 1652) was a French bishop, preacher, and author of works of fiction and spirituality. Biography Jean-Pierre Camus was born in Paris in 1584, the son of Jean Camus, seigneur de Saint Bonnet, who ...
'' (1932) *''Autour de l'humanisme d' Érasme à
Pascal Pascal, Pascal's or PASCAL may refer to: People and fictional characters * Pascal (given name), including a list of people with the name * Pascal (surname), including a list of people and fictional characters with the name ** Blaise Pascal, Fren ...
'' (1936) *' (1970) letters to
Maurice Blondel Maurice Blondel (; 2 November 1861 – 4 June 1949) was a French philosopher, whose most influential works, notably ''L'Action'', aimed at establishing the correct relationship between autonomous philosophical reasoning and Christian belief. Bi ...
, edited by André Blanchet, Aubier, two volumes


References


External links

* {{DEFAULTSORT:Bremond, Henri 1865 births 1933 deaths People from Aix-en-Provence 20th-century French writers 20th-century male writers 20th-century French Jesuits 19th-century French Jesuits Members of the Académie Française French male writers Modernism in the Catholic Church