Jérôme Souchier

The son of a noble family, Jérôme Souchier was born in Auvergne in 1508.[1] As a young man, he joined the Cistercian Order at Montpeyroux Abbey.[1] The order sent him to study at the Cistercian College in Paris, where he received doctorates in philosophy and theology.[1] He was also admitted to the theologians of the Collège de Sorbonne.[1] He was subsequently ordained as a priest.[1]

From 1550 to 1571, he was the Abbot of Clairvaux.[1] He participated in the Council of Trent, 1562-1563.[1] From 1567 to 1571, he was also the Abbot of Cîteaux and the superior general of the Cistercian Order.[1] During that time, he issues a set of ecclesiastical ordinances (usually referred to as the Ordinationes) based on the principles of the Council of Trent.[1] At various times, Henry II of France, Francis II of France, and Charles IX of France all sought his advice.

Pope Pius V made him a cardinal priest in the consistory of 24 March 1568.[1] He received the red hat and the titular church of San Matteo in Via Merulana on 24 January 1569.[1]

He died in Rome on 10 November 1571.[1] He was buried in Santa Croce in Gerusalemme.[1]