BEAUCOUSIN, Richard. - Carthusian, born at P. Arigi in 1561, died in the reputation of holiness in the Carthusian monastery of Cahors on 8 August 1610. After completing his studies in law, he entered the Carthusian monastery of Vauvert in Paris and made his religious profession in 1591. His piety and mystical learning soon became known outside the monastery, so that people came from all sides to consult him, for he was esteemed as the holiest and most reliable spiritual director in Paris.
He was called “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 advisor; Cardinal de Sourdis so admired his virtues that he wished to found a Carthusian monastery in Bordeaux. He guided spiritually the blessed Marie de l’Incarnation (Madame Acarie) and advised her to introduce the Discalced Carmelites into France. He was prior of the Carthusian monastery of Cahors and visitor of the province of Aquitaine. Jean B. Maillet wrote his biography, which is found in the library of Ajaccio (a gift of Cardinal Fesch).
He wrote several works of spirituality (unpublished) and translated into French the little work of Ruysbroeck, *Ornamentum nuptiarum spiritualium* (Toulouse 1606).