Arnauld, MARIE ANGÉLIQUE

Arnauld, MARIE ANGÉLIQUE, the sister of the great Arnauld, was born in 1591. When little over eleven years of age she was made abbess of Port-Royal. At first careless, she became rigorously severe in the discharge of her duties and the conduct of her life, and by her example and influence speedily brought about a remarkable reformation in the character of the convent. Disapproving of the manner of her own appointment, she resigned her place as abbess, and spent some time in another convent; but in 1636 she returned to Port-Royal, and became prioress under her sister, who was now abbess. She died in 1661, ere the persecutions of Port-Royal (q.v.) began. See Frances Martin's Angélique Arnauld (1873).—Her niece, ANGÉLIQUE ARNAULD, was born in 1624. At twenty years of age she became a nun at Port-Royal des Champs. Nine years after, she was made sub-prioress. During the persecution of the Port-Royalists, Angélique Arnauld, by her piety and courage, sustained the spirit of the sisterhood. The whole family, male and female, were determined Jansenists, and none more so than Mother Angélique. In 1678 Angélique was made abbess. She died in 1684, leaving behind her as bright and beautiful a memory as any of her countrywomen. Angélique Arnauld wrote several works, the most valuable of which are the Mémoires of her aunt.