Antoine Arnauld. De la Frequente Communion: ou les sentiments des peres, des papes, et des conciles, touchant l’usage des sacremens de penitence & d’eucharistie, sont fidelement exposez… Paris : Antoine Vitre, 1644.
Call Number: SpC. 234.163 A745d1644
When Vincent de Paul was canonized in 1737, the bull of canonization Superna Jerusalem praised him for the role he had played in fighting the heresy of Jansenism. Jansenism was the 17-18th century expression of a long-standing debate about the salvific nature of God’s grace, and the ability of human beings to respond to the gift of that grace through the exercise of free will.
In 1643, Antoine Arnauld (1616-1698) published his work On Frequent Communion and ignited a theological and political firestorm that would divide and scar French Catholicism over the next century. Vincent de Paul immediately jumped into the public fray in opposition to what he always referred to as the danger of “the new opinions.”
In a long and detailed letter sent to Jean Dehorgny in Rome in September of 1648 (held by DePaul University’s Special Collections and Archives), Vincent reveals himself as a learned and resolute pastoral theologian. His critique of Arnauld’s arguments are based on a close reading of the text, scripture, opinions of the fathers of the church, and conciliar and papal teachings. They form a cogent point-by-point response to the key tenets of Jansenist theology. His critique is also clearly informed by his own pastoral and missionary experience in trying to lead people closer to God through frequent reception of the Church’s sacraments especially Penance and the Eucharist. His position is clear: “I think it most important for all Christians to know and believe that God is so good that all Christians, with the grace of Jesus Christ, work out their salvation; that He gives them the means through Jesus Christ; and that this strongly manifests and magnifies the infinite goodness of God.”
In responding to criticism that he has spoken out too early and too strongly, Vincent replied: “If this were the case, heresies should not be opposed nor should those who are determined to rob people of life or property, and the shepherd would do wrong to cry ‘Wolf!’ when he sees one about to enter the sheepfold.”
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St. Vincent’s Reading List is recurring blog series exploring texts known to have been read and recommended by St. Vincent de Paul, those which can be presumed to have been read by him, and important works published during his lifetime (1581-1660). All materials discussed are held by DePaul’s Special Collections and Archives. The entire series may be viewed here.