Catherine Arnauld

French nun

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June 18, 2026

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Jeanne-Catherine-Agnès Arnauld (1593–1671) was a prominent French nun and abbess of the Jansenist center of Port-Royal. She was one of six sisters of the influential Jansenist theologian Antoine Arnauld. Like her sister, Jacqueline-Marie-Angélique Arnauld (Mère Angélique), Jeanne entered religious life at a young age.12

Arnauld governed the Cistercian monastery of Tard before returning to Port-Royal, where she was elected abbess twice. During a period of persecution against Jansenists in France, she was detained in an attempt to force her to condemn Jansenism. After the persecutions eased, she lived peacefully and was highly respected. She was also recognized as a spiritual writer, though few of her works were published.1

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Arnauld Family
The most notable was Catherine Arnauld (1590–1651). She married Isaac Le Maistre, a king’s counselor, but, after his death, she too took religious vows and entered Port-Royal.
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The most notable was Catherine Arnauld (1590–1651). She married Isaac Le Maistre, a king’s counselor, but, after his death, she too took religious vows and entered Port-Royal.
Read More