Jean Nicolaï

Jean Nicolaï (1594 at Mouzay in the Diocese of Verdun, France – 7 May 1673 at Paris) was a French Dominican theologian and controversialist.

Life

Entering the order at the age of twelve, he made his religious profession in 1612, studied philosophy and theology in the convent of St. James at Paris. and in 1632 obtained his doctorate in theology at the Sorbonne. Nicolaï taught in various houses of the Dominican order, and became the regent of the Paris Dominicans. Besides Latin and Greek he was conversant with Italian, Spanish, and Hebrew.

He was a member of the commission appointed to examine the works and teachings of the Jansenists and to prevent the further dissemination of their doctrine in the Sorbonne. In the disputes on grace between the Thomists and Molinists, which the teaching of Jansenius revived, he adhered strictly to the Thomistic doctrine.

He was esteemed at the royal court and received a pension of 600 francs. He was buried in the chapel of the convent of St. James in Paris, and a marble stone beside the grave bears a long inscription recounting his virtues, his learning, and his services to his country.

Works

His numerous works fall into three classes.

Editor Nicolaï edited a number of works by older theologians, adding commentaries and explanatory notes. These included: (Lyons, 1670): to each of the three volumes of this work he added a dissertation against the Jansenists (Lyons, 1670) (Lyons, 1659) (Lyons, 1660) (Lyons, 1660) (Lyons, 1663) (Lyons, 1689)

Theological Nicolaï also wrote a number of original theological works. These included: (Paris, 1656) (Paris, 1656) (Bordeaux, 1665)

Against Launoy, the champion of the "Gallican Liberties", he wrote:

(Paris, 1667) (Paris, 1667) (Paris, 1668) (Paris, 1668) (Paris, 1680)

Poetical and political The purpose of Nicolaï's poetical and political writings seems to have been to extol the dignity and glory of France and her kings. He delivered in Rome in 1628 a panegyric in honour of the victory of Louis XIII at La Rochelle and in 1661 composed a poem in honour of the son of Louis XIV.