Pierre de Bérulle facts for kids
Pierre de Bérulle (born February 4, 1575 – died October 2, 1629) was a French Catholic priest, a high-ranking church official called a cardinal, and a statesman. He lived in France during the 17th century. He started a religious movement known as the French school of spirituality. Famous people like Vincent de Paul and Francis de Sales were influenced by him, even though their own ideas about faith were different.
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His Life
Pierre de Bérulle was born on February 4, 1575. His family was important and lived near Troyes in a region called Champagne. He went to school with the Jesuits and later studied at the Sorbonne in Paris.
In 1597, he published his first book. After becoming a priest in 1599, he helped Cardinal Duperron in debates with Protestant leaders. He helped many people convert to Catholicism.
In 1604, he worked with his cousin, Madame Acarie, to bring the Discalced Carmelite nuns to France. These nuns followed the teachings of Teresa of Ávila.
Later, in 1608, Vincent de Paul moved to Paris. He was guided by Pierre de Bérulle for a while. Bérulle helped De Paul become the priest for the parish of Clichy.
In 1611, Bérulle started a new religious group in Paris called the Congregation of the French Oratory. He based it on a group started by Philip Neri in Rome. This group was a key part of the Counter-Reformation in France.
As a Statesman
Pierre de Bérulle served as a chaplain to King Henry IV of France. A chaplain is a priest who serves a king or queen. He was offered the chance to become a bishop many times but said no.
He helped arrange the marriage of Henrietta Maria to Charles I. He also served as her chaplain when she first moved to England. In 1626, he was sent as a French ambassador to Spain. An ambassador represents their country in another country. He helped create an important agreement called the Treaty of Monzón. However, his enemy, Cardinal Richelieu, found problems with this treaty.
Bérulle helped King Louis XIII and his mother, Marie de Medici, become friends again. After this, he became a state advisor. But he had to leave this job because he supported the Habsburg family. This was against Cardinal Richelieu's plans. Bérulle believed France should be allies with Austria and Spain because they were Catholic. Richelieu, however, wanted to weaken their power in Europe.
Pope Urban VIII made him a cardinal on August 30, 1627. Pierre de Bérulle passed away on October 2, 1629, in Paris while celebrating Mass. He was buried at the Oratorian College of Juilly.
French School of Spirituality
Early in his life, Bérulle thought people could change society and the church on their own. He tried to convert Protestants using his writings and discussions. But when his efforts didn't work well, he realized that everything depends on God. He then believed people should try to live according to God's will, without worrying about success or failure.
Bérulle is seen as a founder of the French School of Spirituality. This was a strong religious movement in France in the early 1600s. It focused on:
- A deep respect for God's greatness.
- Seeing the Church as the Body of Christ.
- Believing in human potential through God's help.
- A strong desire to spread the Christian message.
Bérulle taught about a spiritual journey through Mary to Christ, and then through Christ to the Trinity. This idea is a key part of the French School of Spirituality.
Some people say that the term "school" might not be perfect. This is because other important members, like Jean Eudes and Jean-Jacques Olier, had their own unique ideas. They didn't just follow Bérulle's thoughts. However, they shared many common beliefs. These include focusing on living in the Spirit of Jesus and specific ways of praying. This means it can still be seen as a distinct tradition, sometimes called Berullism.
His Ideas and Works
Bérulle encouraged Descartes in his studies of philosophy. He also helped include an old version of the Samaritan Pentateuch in a famous Bible collection.
Bérulle was known for focusing on Jesus as God's Word who became human. He emphasized Jesus' humility and self-giving. He even made the idea of Jesus becoming human the main focus of his spirituality. He asked Christ that this focus "be our life and our state, our spirit and our particular difference."
The Carmelite nuns he brought to France did not always agree with his attempts to change their spiritual practices. However, his ideas still influenced Carmelite communities for a long time.
Here are some of Cardinal de Bérulle's main works:
- Bref discours de l'abnégation intérieure (Brief Talk on Inner Self-Denial), (1597).
- Traité des énergumènes (Treatise on the Possessed), (1599). This book discussed how evil spirits might live in a person's body. Bérulle believed this showed the devil's hatred for God becoming human.
- Trois Discours de controverse (Three Talks of Controversy), (1609). These were about different topics.
- Discours de l'état et des grandeurs de Jésus (Talk on the State and Greatness of Jesus), (1623). This book was very popular and was reprinted many times.
- Vie de Jésus (Life of Jesus), (1629). This was meant to be a follow-up to his previous work. He did not finish it before he died.
- Elévation à Jésus-Christ sur Sainte Madeleine (Elevation to Jesus Christ Regarding St. [Mary] Magdalene), (1627).
Bérulle also wrote many shorter religious works. These helped guide the Oratory group he founded. His collected works were published after his death. Some of his writings are now available in English translations.
Images for kids
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Cardinal Pierre de Bérulle
See also
In Spanish: Pierre de Bérulle para niños
