Singlin, Antoine

Singlin, Antoine, a French theologian, was born at Paris early in the 17th century, and by the advice of Vincent de Paul embraced the monastic life at the age of twenty- two. After learning Latin in the College de Paris, he entered the Hopital de Pitie to teach the catechism to children. Later he attached himself to the abbd of St. Cyran, who induced him to become a priest, and procured him a nomination as confessor to the Port-Royal recluses, to which duty he joined that of superior of two of their houses. His timidity at length caused him to seek a retreat with Madame de Longueville, where he died, April 17, 1664. He was possessed of moderate learning, but sound sense, and a good knowledge of the Scriptures and the fathers — qualities which he showed in his Instructions Chretiennes (Paris, 1671-73, and later), being a collection of his sermons, which are highly spoken of. He is also the author of several letters in the Nouveaux Memoires de Port-Royal. See his Life prefixed to Goujet's edition of the former work.