Extraordinaire du 5 Decembre 1642: contenant I. La mort du Cardinal Duc de Richelieu, avenue a Paris le quatriesme du courant; II. Le legat fait au Roy par le dit Cardinal Duc; III. Et les ressentimens de sa Majeste apres son decez. Paris: s.n., 1642.
Call number: SpC. 944.032092 R528Yex1642
Among the key political-power relationships that Vincent de Paul had to successfully navigate as both a national figure and superior general of the Congregation of the Mission, few were more important, or more complex, than his relationship with Armand Jean de Plessis, Cardinal-Duke of Richelieu and Fronsac (1585-1642).
As the First Minister for the relatively weak king, Louis XIII, from 1624 to 1642, Cardinal Richelieu single-handedly presided over the strengthening of the internal and external power of the French monarchy, the French Church, and the French State. The France of the Sun King, Louis XIV, was only made possible through the work of Cardinal Richelieu.
The cardinal thought very highly of Vincent de Paul and the new Congregation of the Mission. This regard led him in 1638 to negotiate a contract to obtain the services of Vincent’s community in the new city of Richelieu he had founded, and in his old see city of Lyon. These were very complex negotiations that were still not completed when the cardinal died in Paris on 4 December 1642.
In a letter to Bernard Codoing on Christmas Day of 1642 Vincent wrote: “Providence has permitted that [the foundation at] Richelieu not be funded. The later Cardinal had sold the record-offices of Loudon, intending to put the price into real estate, which he did; however, he died before relinquishing it to us. Two or three days before his death, he sent me the rough draft for it, which he did not sign. We must praise God for this. We shall see what his heirs will choose to do… Blessed be God that Providence arranged things other-wise! We held two solemn services and said several Masses for him. Celebrate a large number there [in Rome] please.”
Vincent did not have to worry on this account, the Duchess d’Aiguillon (the cardinals favorite niece) was personally devoted to Monsieur Vincent and an ardent supporter of all of his works.
The work featured is the official notice of the cardinal’s death published in Paris on 5 December 1642.
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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.