The Flowering of Mysticism and Charity in 17th Century France
According to the French historian Abbe Bremond, the Christian humanism of the Italian Renaissance came to a full flowering in the spirituality of seventeenth century France. The founding of the religious orders of women and men combined the active service of the poor with the tradition of Christian contemplation. The charitable outreach of schools and hospitals into the larger society was based on a spirituality of service which flowed from prayer. Leaders such as Francis de Sales, Vincent de Paul and John Baptise de la Salle were able to combine works of charity with the centuries of tradition of contemplative prayer.