Background
His father was private secretary to Catherine de" Medici, his mother was a native of Blois.
His father was private secretary to Catherine de" Medici, his mother was a native of Blois.
After a liberal education Ménard entered the Order of Saint Benedict, 3 February 1607, at Saint Denis, and made his religious profession 10 September 1612. In the next year, he joined the reform movement of Saint Vannes in Verdun which some years later developed into the Congregation of Saint Maur. And he became one of its main helps.
After some time he was called to Paris, where he soon became a favourite preacher and frequently occupied the principal pulpits.
Foreign sixteen years he taught rhetoric at the College of Cluny. By word and deed he sought to induce his fellow religious to unite an exemplary life with love for study especially of Church history and patrology.
On account of failing health he was placed by his superiors in the abbey of Saint Germain des Prés, where he lived in great seclusion.