Cotolendi, Ignace

Cotolendi, Ignace a French missionary and theologian, was born at Brignoles, March 24, 1630. He completed his studies at the college of the Jesuits at Aix, received the degree of doctor at Rome, returned to Aix, where he took the ecclesiastical habit, and was appointed rector of Sainte-Marguerite. He left this post in order to devote himself to missions, and on his return to Rome was appointed by pope Alexander VII preacher in the suburbs of Paris and, among other places, at Dreux. He became titular bishop of Metellopolis, and ad interim filled the episcopal see of Chartres. He then received letters giving him the authority of apostolic-vicar for the mission of Nankin, Northern China, Corea, and Tartary. He returned to Marseilles with three priests who were to be his companions; visited Malta, Alexandretta, Aleppo, and arrived at Mazulipatam; travelled through various parts of India, and introduced himself as a physician. This gained for him confidence, which aided him in his work as missionary, and he made numerous proselytes. But fatigue and change of climate were too much for his health, and he died at Palacol (East Indies), August 10, 1662. His body was carried to Goa, where a monument was erected to his memory. He wrote, Vie de Saint-Gaetan: — also additions to the Chroniques of Gautier, and several religious works. See Hoefer, Nouv. Biog. Generale, s.v.