Armand Jean le Bouthillier de Rancé

Who was Armand Jean le Bouthillier de Rancé?

Armand Jean le Bouthillier de Rancé, abbot and founder of the Trappist Cistercians.

He was originally intended for the Knights of Malta. The illness of his older brother caused his father to dedicate him to ecclesiastical service, in order to preserve in the family the former numerous benefices. At twelve he published a translation of Anacreon with Greek notes. On the death of his brother, in 1637, he became canon of Notre Dame de Paris, abbot of La Trappe Abbey, and of several other places, which gave him a revenue of about 15,000 livres. In 1651, he was ordained priest by his uncle Victor Bouthillier, the Archbishop of Tours, and embarked on a career as a court abbot.

In 1652 his father died, leaving him a further increase in estate. At the age of twenty-six he was thus left with practically unlimited wealth.

His uncle, who desired him as coadjutor, made him archdeacon, caused him to be elected deputy of the second order to the General Assembly of the French Clergy in 1655, and had him appointed first chaplain to Gaston, Duke of Orléans, in 1656.

The death of the Duchess of Montbazon, in 1657, gave him the first serious thought leading to his conversion.