An edition of The life of the baron de Renty
(1873)
The life of the baron de Renty
or, Perfection in the world exemplified
by Edward Healy Thompson
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Last edited by Tom Morris
December 20, 2017 | History
Library Of Religious Biography Volume 4 of 9.
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The life of the baron de Renty: or, Perfection in the world exemplified
1873, Burns & Oates
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Table of Contents
CONTENTS.
Advertisement, page v
INTRODUCTION.
Each mystery of the Incarnation has its special transforming power on the soul. Characteristics of Spiritual Infancy. Women often chosen as the instruments of some special devotion. The influence exercised by the Venerable Margaret of the Blessed Sacrament in spreading devotion to the Sacred Infancy. France the scene of its manifestation. How opposed to the evils then dominant in that land. The Incarnation and Redemption specially exhisited in the Infancy. Bethlehem the vestibule of Calvary. M. de Renty the disciple of Margaret. Self-denudation a peculiar grace of the Sacred Infancy. Jesus chose the Crib. Devotion to the Sacred Infancy a peculiarly safe devotion. Self-surrender an effect of this devotion. Close connection between this devotion and that to the Blessed Sacrament, page 1
PART I.
PERFECT CONVERSION.
CHAPTER I.
THE EARLY YEARS OF GASTON DE RENTY.
His ancestry and parentage. Has poor people for his sponsors. Receives great graces from his earliest childhood. His superior abilities and energy of will. Has a special turn for mathematics. The Providence of God in the casual incidents of life. Effect on De Renty of reading the "Imitation of Christ." His desire to embrace the religions state. His flight from Paris. His letter to his father. He is discovered and taken to the chateau of Beny. Explanation of his acquiescence. He is chosen deputy to the States of Normandy. Rebuilds the church of Beny, page 19
CHAPTER II.
DE RENTY'S MARRIAGE AND MILITARY CAREER.
He is designed by God to live in the world. The model of a Christian gentleman. Destined to become the recipient of higher graces. His wife a lady of great virtue, value of Saint-Jure' s biography. De Renty's behaviour in society. Held in much esteem by Louis XIII. Source of his steadfastness in virtue. His demeanour at court. The Thirty Years' War : Richelieu's policy. De Renty serves in the army of the Rhine. Barbarous mode of conducting the conflict. De Renty's military talents. His humanity. An instance of it. Uses his authority to prevent oppression and injustice. As also to restrain disorders among his troops. His religiousness. Prevalence of the vice of duelling. Difficulty of resisting the evil custom. De Renty refuses a challenge. His magnanimous conduct. True courage, page 32
CHAPTER III.
A SECOND CONVERSION.
Epochs and stages of advancement in the inner life. At twenty-seven De Renty is called to a high order of perfection. Mission of the French Oratory. Cardinal de Bern lie. P. de Condren's wonderful gift of guiding souls. Infancy his peculiar grace ; as it was also that of De Renty. Retreat given by the Fathers of the Oratory. De Renty takes P. de Condren as his director. His new manner of life. Travelling a trial of piety. Order observed by de Renty on a journey : character of his conversation; devotional practices; encouragement to cheerfulness. His mode of training his children. Letter on education. His conduct towards his dependents. Letter to one of them. Account rendered to his director of his daily occupations; interior and exterior, page 61
CHAPTER IV.
THE SOURCE OF DE RENTY'S VIRTUES.
His close union with our Lord. Specific nature of that union. The key to De Renty's sanctification The great need he felt of Jesus Christ. Its meaning in his mouth. The idea always recurring in his letters. Testimonies of friends thereto. His principle of action and unmixed purity of intention. Danger of charitable bustle. De Renty's study of Jesus in the New Testament. His imitation of Him in all his dealings with his neighbour. Jesus his model of charity, page 73
CHAPTER V.
DE RENTY'S VICTORY OVER SELF.
The spiritual life commonly divided into three stages. How this division is to be understood. Penance the first step in the course. De Renty's rigorous austerities. His extraordinary attraction towards the poverty and humiliations of Jesus. Answer to objections. De Renty's abiding spirit of self-sacrifice. His hatred of self. Insensibility to outward impressions. Continual application of mind to God. Immunity from inward repugnances and rebellions. Conquest of natural defects. Common confusion between the esteem and the possession of holiness : De Renty's remarks thereon. His patience under contempt. Instance of this. His forbearance in the minor vexations of life. Patience the highest form of courage, page 84
CHAPTER VI.
DE RENTY'S ESTEEM FOR SUFFERING. HIS DOMESTIC TROUBLES.
Sufferings participations in the Cross of Jesus. Not generally to be prayed for. De Renty's sentiments thereon. The grace to accept sufferings aright very rare. De Renty's letter to one in affliction His mother's exorbitant claims on his property. The matter referred to arbitration. The decision. His mother evades compliance and appeals to the Parliament of Dijon. Readiness of the world to condemn. De Renty's humiliations at Dijon. Spirit in which he received them In what sense the conduct of saints is imitable. De Renty's behaviour under calumny and ill-treatment. Testimony of his director, page 103
CHAPTER VII.
DE RENTY'S POVERTY IN THE MIDST OF RICHES.
His love of the Beatitudes. His strong attraction to poverty : how counteracted. His holy envy of the poor. Expression of his feelings on the subject to Sister Margaret of the Blessed Sacrament. His personal retrenchments. Interior renunciation of his possessions. Obligation to repair dilapidated buildings. Solemn dedication of his employments to God. His interior renunciation a practical reality. Spirit in which he engaged in secular occupations. His energetic language on interior detachment. Explanation of hid meaning. Disengagement of heart the fruit and reward of prayer, page 120
CHAPTER VIII.
DE RENTY'S SOLITUDE IN THE MIDST OF THE WORLD.
His sedulous withdrawal from notice. The Hidden Life of Jesus his model. Account to his director of words inwardly suggested to him. His exhortation to banish useless things from the mind. His contempt of the world. The danger of art being loved for its own sake. De Renty's letter on the vanity of earthly things. Remarks on his mental state, page 134
CHAPTER IX.
DE RENTY'S HUMILITY IN THOUGHT AND WORD.
His strong attraction to this virtue. Nature of this attraction. His deep conviction of God's greatness and the creature's nothingness. Profound sense of his own unworthiness. Absence of self-confidence. Reserve in speaking of divine things. Abiding perception of his own weakness, and desire of correction. Interior renunciation of his nobility. Concealment of his spiritual gifts. Rejection of human praise. Self-confusion before God. Severe judgment of himself. Love of contempt. Desire to avoid singularity. Rare modesty of speech. Self-depreciation and self-abasement. Its genuine sincerity, page 144
CHAPTER X.
DE RENTY'S HUMILITY IN HIS ACTIONS.
Rejection of secular distinctions in church. Disregard of personal comfort and appearance. The love of dress deep-rooted in human nature ; De Renty's convictions and conduct in the matter. His unwillingness to accept office and privileges. Perfect submission to his director. Question whether M. Olier ever acted in that capacity. De Renty's simplicity and frankness with his spiritual guide. Jesus his pattern in His Life at Nazareth, page 163
PART II.
ACTIVE LIFE OF CHARITY
CHAPTER I.
DE RENTY A CO-OPERATOR IN GOOD WORKS.
Universality of his charity. Testimonies to his activity and seal. P. Eudes a great founder of seminaries. P. de Condren's prescience respecting him. P. Eudes's relations with Cardinal de Richelieu. His Congregation of Jesus and Mary at Caen. Animosity of the Oratory against him. He is misrepresented and calumniated. De Renty comes forward in his defence. Assists him in numerous missions. His last letter to that Father. He associates himself with M. Olier in suppressing duelling, and in reforming guilds. Co-operates with St. Vincent de Paul in spiritual and corporal works of charity. His zealous exertions in behalf of the Lorraine nobles, and of the English royalists. His active interest in foreign missions and the redemption of captives, page 181
CHAPTER II.
DE RENTY'S CORPORAL WORKS OF MERCY.
Jesus the object of Christian charity. De Renty's practices of feeding the poor. He teaches them to earn their livelihood. His humility in learning their trades. His tender love for the sick poor. He studies medicine and surgery for their sakes. Testimony of a Sister of Charity. His compassion for the most repulsive sufferers. Touching instance of this. Wonderful success of his remedies. He instructs nuns in preparing medicines. His exertions for the release of prisoners. Remarkable instance of his perseverance and success, page 203
CHAPTER III.
DE RENTY'S ZEAL FOR SOULS.
The love of God his sovereign motive. Largeness of his charity. Its exercise in behalf of country populations. Salutary effects of missions on succeeding generations. De Renty's personal share in the work. He establishes a number of pious lay associations. His efforts to sanctify family life. Solicitude for the reformation of fallen women. Conversion of an unhappy girl. His labours at the Hospital of St. Gervais. His respectful treatment of the poor. Influence of his example on the Hospital Sisters. His charitable use of opportunities. His zeal for the interests of Christendom, page 222
CHAPTER IV.
RULES DRAWN UP BY DE RENTY FOR THE SANCTIFICATION OF CERTAIN CLASSES.
Rules for a person of quality: in regard to officials ; in regard to churches. Rules for ladies. Evil effects of the absence of lofty Christian aims. De Renty founds associations of workmen, and acts as their superior. His behaviour towards the associates, page 240
CHAPTER V.
QUALITIES WHICH DISTINGUISHED DE RENTY'S ZEAL.
His zeal prompt and decisive. His conduct in regard to the execution of a Will. Interference in a street fray. Rescue of a man from the guilt of apostacy. Patience a necessary quality of zeal. De Renty's success in the case of a jealous husband. His forbearance with a querulous sick man. Replies to a priest who bad sought his counsel. Discretion in administering fraternal correction. Well-timed severity. Frankness a strong element in De Renty's character. Letter to a lady on frankness in spiritual matters. His refusal to intercede for a convicted homicide. Prudence the corrective of zeal. De Renty's cautions as to excessive exertion. His own practice in this regard, page 251
CHAPTER VI.
WONDERFUL RESULTS OF DE RENTY'S ZEAL.
Its influence swift and powerful. Impression produced on desolate revellers. Case of a poor girl and her betrayer. Rescue of a woman from despair. Reconciliation of an assassin and his victim. Success with an obdurate criminal. Relief of a soul from interior trials. Instances of supernatural presentiment. De Renty instructs a gentleman of rank, page 270
CHAPTER VII.
DE RENTY'S GRACE FOR THE GUIDANCE OF SOULS.
This grace peculiar and exceptional. The Comtesse de la Chatre seeks De Renty's direction. His prudence and reserve towards her. Saint Jure's observations on his conduct. Rules of perfection drawn up by De Renty. His deep acquaintance with the mysteries of the spiritual life. Remarks thereon found among his papers. His spiritual lights on particular occasions. He is divinely prompted in addressing souls. Consulted by clergy and religious. His natural repugnance to the office, page 280
CHAPTER VIII.
DE RENTY'S EXTERIOR READING AND MANAGEMENT OF AFFAIRS.
Personal influence: in what it consists. Characteristics of De Renty's outward man. His unvarying recollectedness. Testimonies to this. His habitual calmness and self-possession. Effects of his conversation and very presence. His peace of soul amid multifarious business. His perseverance combined with humility. Boldness and force of character. Extraordinary freedom from pre-occupation. Diligent use of means and indifference to success. God's will his only rule of conduct. Letter to his director on that and kindred subjects, page 295
PART III.
INTERIOR AND MYSTICAL LIFE.
CHAPTER I.
MARGARET OF THE BLESSED SACRAMENT.
De Renty's devotion to the Sacred Infancy. Special graces found only in the line of our attraction. The Carmelite Convent at Beaune. Margaret of the Blessed Sacrament: her childlike obedience. Her extraordinary trials. The Child Jesus her model. Her visions and ecstasies: the Holy Babe takes her as His spouse; her perfect abstraction. Her converse with angels. Her humility and charity. Her mystical sufferings. State of France; Margaret propagates the devotion to the Sacred Infancy. Beaune delivered from the Germans in answer to her supplications. Concourse of pilgrims to the convent. Her intercessory prayers, page 317
CHAPTER II.
SPIRITUAL ALLIANCE BETWEEN DE RENTY AND MARGARET.
Two motives of Christian holiness : the sense of duty and the personal love of God. The latter the more excellent. Sanctity, — union of the soul with God. De Renty's intimate knowledge of this mystery. Effects of his interview with Margaret. Nature of the spiritual alliance between them. General remarks on this communion of souls. De Renty's reverence for Margaret's counsels. Solemn consecration of himself to the Holy Child. Practices of devotion to the Infant Jesus. He receives in return extraordinary graces. M. Olier's visit to Beaune; its results. De Renty's union with Margaret continued after her death, page 337
CHAPTER III.
THE GRACE OF THE SACRED INFANCY.
De Renty receives great lights concerning this mystery, and the virtues most closely connected with it. Innocence and simplicity its special product. This innocence possible, but difficult of attainment. The habit of judging others specially inimical to this virtue. Taking scandal a great fault. In what perfection consists. St. Paul's description of charity De Renty's constant study. His freedom from the vice of multiplicity, page 355
CHAPTER IV.
DE RENTY'S DEVOTION TO THE MOST HOLY TRINITY, AND HIS EMINENT FAITH AND HOPE.
A special insight into the mystery of the Blessed Trinity the climax of the spiritual life. St. Teresa's comparison of the soul to a castle. Her account of the vision of the Three Divine Persons. De Renty favoured with a similar grace. Proofs of this from his letters to confidential friends, and to his director. Reality a striking feature in his character. The light of faith strong within him. Absence of pious curiosity. Hope the condition of great achievements. This virtue frequently enforced in Holy Scripture. De Renty's simple reliance on God, especially at times of dereliction. His courage and patience, page 367
CHAPTER V.
DE RENTY'S LOVE AND FEAR OF GOD.
Love, union with God. Self-renunciation the test of love. De Renty's ardent charity. This charity the source of his zeal for God's honour. Conformity to His will the Proof of its strength. His profound reverence for God. Horror of the least offence. Delicacy of his conscience exemplified, page 388
CHAPTER VI.
DE RENTY'S REVERENCE FOR HOLY THINGS AND DEVOTION TO THE BLESSED SACRAMENT.
His reverential behaviour in church. Veneration for Priests. Zeal for their sanctification. Respect for religious vocation. Devotion to the Blessed Virgin and the Saints. Reverence for the rites of the Church. Desire of spirituality in worship. Realization of the Communion of Saints. Subtraction of sensible devotion: how restored. Ardent love of the Blessed Sacrament. Heroic straggles daring dryness of spirit ; lights vouchsafed to him. He makes tabernacles for poor churches. His efforts to establish the Devotion of Perpetual Adoration, and other pious practices. Instance of courageous zeal, page 398
CHAPTER VII.
DE RENTY'S DIFFERENT STAGES OF PRAYER.
Value of mental prayer. Its four degrees. Meditation. Affective prayer ; De Renty's practice, and remarks thereon. He is raised to that of contemplation. Difference between active and passive contemplation. Inward silence the condition of receiving divine impressions. Objections answered. De Renty's counsels respecting distractions and aridities. His personal experiences. He is favoured with the gift of passive contemplation. His intimate converse with God. He receives wonderful illuminations, especially as to the sense of Holy Scripture, page 414
CHAPTER VIII.
DE RENTY'S STATE OF MYSTIC DEATH.
What is meant thereby. De Renty's lights concerning the "Magnificat." Vision of his own soul. First stage of mystic death. P. Surin's explanation thereof. Second stage. De Renty's language compared with that of P. Surin. Third stage. De Renty dead to sensible consolations; to eager aspirations after perfection; to solicitude for success of good works ; to all sensitiveness as to praise or dispraise. His views on perfect union with God, page 430
CHAPTER IX.
LAST ILLNESS AND DEATH OF DE RENTY.
He is seized with torturing pain. Occupies himself with pious aspirations. His cheerful patience under suffering. Reluctance to receive alleviations. Thoughtful regard to charitable interests. Numerous visitors. Frequent confession. Interior recollection and joy of heart. He is rapt in spirit. Blesses his children. Earnest counsels to a friend. His last moments. Asserted intimations of his glory. Saint-Jure's concluding reflections, page 444
ERRATUM.
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| December 20, 2017 | Edited by Tom Morris | merge authors |
| December 12, 2015 | Edited by ww2archive | added edition |
| December 12, 2015 | Created by ww2archive | Added new book. |