Elizabeth Evelinge facts for kids
Quick facts for kids Catharine Magdalen |
|
|---|---|
| Abbess of Saint-Augustin-de-Clarques | |
| Personal details | |
| Birth name | Elizabeth Evelinge |
| Born | 1596/1597 England |
| Died | 1668 Aire-sur-la-Lys, France |
| Denomination | Catholic Church |
| Occupation | nun, abbess, translator |
Sister Catharine Magdalen, whose birth name was Elizabeth Evelinge, lived from about 1596 or 1597 to 1668. She was an important Catholic leader called an abbess. She was also an English translator. Some of her translation work has been mixed up with another nun named Catherine Bentley.
Contents
Who Was Sister Catharine Magdalen?
Elizabeth Evelinge was born in England around 1596 or 1597. She likely had two sisters, Rose and Mary Evelinge. Elizabeth and Rose joined a special religious community called the Convent of Poor Clares, Gravelines in 1620. This was a place where nuns lived and prayed.
Becoming a Nun
In 1620, Elizabeth and Rose took their vows. This meant they promised to dedicate their lives to God. Their sister Mary joined them at the convent in 1621. The convent grew and became very successful. It even started three new communities. One of these new communities began in 1629 in a town called Aire-sur-la-Lys in France.
Leading the Convent
Elizabeth Evelinge moved to the new community in Aire-sur-la-Lys. She first worked as a Portress, which meant she guarded the entrance. Then, she became the Mistress of Novices. This role involved teaching new nuns. Around 1633, she became the abbess of the convent. An abbess is like the leader or head of a convent of nuns.
Sister Catharine Magdalen was the abbess for 25 years. She passed away in Aire-sur-la-Lys in 1668.
A Mystery About Translations
After she died, people wrote about her life. They mentioned that she had translated a book. The book was called "The History of the Angelicall Virgin Glorious St. Clare." It was written by a famous historian named Luke Wadding. This translation was published in 1635.
However, the book itself says it was translated by a different nun. This nun was named Catharine Bentley, also known as Sister Magdalen Augustine. Catherine Bentley had become a nun earlier, in 1611. She also became an abbess at the convent in Aire and died in 1659.
It's a bit of a mystery! It's possible that both nuns worked on the translation. Or, perhaps the historical records have some disagreements.
