Beaucousin, Richard

BEAUCOUSIN, RICHARD. - Carthusian, b. in Paris in 1561, d. in the odor of sanctity in the charterhouse of Cahors on 8 Aug. 1610. After completing his studies in jurisprudence, he entered the charterhouse of Vauvert, in Paris, and in 1591 took his religious vows. His piety and mystical learning soon became known even outside the monastery, so much so that people came from everywhere to consult him, because he was esteemed as the holiest and safest director in Paris.

They called him "the eye of the contemplatives." St. Francis de Sales, St. Vincent de Paul, Pierre de Bérulle, the future cardinal, had him as their director or adviser; Card. de Sourdis admired his virtues so greatly that he wished to found a charterhouse in Bordeaux. He directed spiritually the b. Mary of the Incarnation (Madame Acarie) and advised her to introduce the reformed Carmelites into France. He was prior of the charterhouse of Cahors and co-visitor of the province of Aquitaine. Jean B. Maillet wrote his biography, which is found in the library of Ajaccio (a gift of Card. Fesch).

He wrote several works of spirituality (unpublished) and translated into French Ruysbroeck's little work, Ornamentum nuptiarum spiritualium (Toulouse 1606).