NOCTUA
La tradizione filosofica dall’antico al moderno
History of Philosophy from the Ancient to the Modern Age
Autore / Author: Giada Silenzi
Affiliazione / Author affiliation: Università degli Studi di Udine
Titolo / Title: « Mourir effectivement au monde » : l’écriture spirituelle de Jacqueline Pascal entre mortification et renouvellement intérieur
Abstract: This article examines the spiritual journey of Jacqueline Pascal, focusing on the central role that writing played in her religious vocation. It follows her progression from a celebrated poet in Parisian literary circles to her eventual commitment to the religious life at Port-Royal, where she embraced humility and simplicity under the guidance of Mother Agnès Arnauld. Central to this transformation is her reappropriation of language, which she turned into an instrument of inner purification, drawing on biblical models and Augustinian principles that shaped contemplative life at Port-Royal. The analysis of her meditation on the mystery of Christ’s death demonstrates how Jacqueline Pascal’s writing became an active spiritual practice, illustrating her stylistic shift from her earlier worldly poetry to a meditative and austere prose. Through the use of rhetorical devices such as repetition, her writing embodies the inner struggle for self-discipline and spiritual renewal, reflecting her commitment to her future religious life at Port-Royal.
Keywords: Jacqueline Pascal; poetry; Port-Royal; meditation; repetition.
English title: Mourir effectivement au monde: The Spiritual Writing of Jacqueline Pascal Between Mortification and Inner Renewal
DOI: 10.14640/NoctuaXII6
Rivista / Journal: Noctua
Anno / Volume: XII
Fascicolo / Issue: 1
Pagine / Pages: 247-271
Pubblicazione / Publication date: 28/06/2025
Permalink: https://dx.doi.org/10.14640/NoctuaXII6
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ISSN 2284-1180