Convent Life According To Arnauld

Her writings, which primarily offer practical advice, emphasize the moral and theological virtues underscored by convent life. Arnauld heavily emphasized the efficacy of God’s grace. When asked by one of the sisters if she had fears, she replied, “. . . qu’elle n’avoit jamais été plus assure, parce qu’elle sçavoit que nous étions entre les mains de Dieu . . .” Her belief that nothing happens without God’s knowledge and permission reassured her in the face of persecution. According to Arnauld, one cannot do anything but rely on God’s grace, and that “. . . il faut regarder Dieu, l’adorer, & n’en dire pas un mot.” In response to one of her sister’s questions on how to relieve oneself from pointless thoughts, she responded, “Il faut employer
elle les admiroit de se croire capables de parler de ces matieres, & qu’elle n’oseroit pas en ouvrir la bouche ; qu’elle sçavoit seulement qu’il faut assurer son salut par les bonnes œuvres, & espérer toujours en Dieu.” Therefore, despite her emphasis on grace, she continued to contradictorily emphasize the necessity of humility and charity; she stated, “L’humilité s’abysme dans la grandeur de Dieu, & la charité n’a point d’autre objet que cette même grandeur ; de forte que la charité éleve l’ame jusqu’à la transformer en Dieu par l’amour, & l’humilité l’anéantit afin de mieux aimer.” Some of her more radical reforms called for the
She claimed that it was the female religious superior’s duty to “serve as a spiritual director, theological instructor, and disciplinarian for her nuns” and although an abbess needed to respect the priesthood, she was “still the one who designates the convent chaplains, confessors, and preachers” and also had the right to appoint and dismiss clerical assistants. After a successful petition to the king, the nuns of Port-Royal had the right to elect their superior, had control over their constitution and laws, and had the right to approve measures that would solve problems within their convent. Outside of the convent, Arnauld charged women to “exercise authority in an evangelical manner, ever vigilant to succor the poor in the periodic outbreaks of war, pestilence, and famine.” In addition, she admonished female rulers to gain spiritual wisdom in order to possess hope, charity, and patience in the face of adversity. For example, in a letter to the princess de Guimené, Angélique Arnauld wrote, “Les maux quels qu’ils soient qui arrivent à ceux qui sont à Dieu, ne sont que des images de maux, & en effet des vrais biens.” Also, Arnauld had frequent correspondence with the queen of Poland and provided her advice and guidance on several subjects, including: deaths of loved ones, illness, charity, and war. She would