Antoine Arnauld was the last of the twenty children born to the great parliamentary orator and Catherine Marion his wife, of whom we have already spoken. His nephews, Le Maitre and De Saci, were so near his own page 110age, that they were accustomed to call him familiarly le petit oncle. Early consecrated to theological studies by the influence of St Cyran and his mother, he espoused zealously the Augustinian doctrines. A splendid prospect seemed opening before him, had he chosen to enter the Church and pursue an ecclesiastical career in the ordinary manner. But while thirsting for theological distinction, he had scruples about his vocation to the holy office. He overcame his scruples so far as to become a priest; but not only would he not accept the benefices placed within his reach by powerful friends—he insisted on resigning such as he held. He even disposed of his patrimony for the benefit of Port Royal, preserving only as much as would provide him with the bare necessaries of life. He became a doctor in 1641, and already, in 1643, the interest of the whole theological world was aroused by his treatise, ‘Of Frequent Communion.’
El objetivo de este tratado, como el de todos los escritos de Arnauld, era antijesuítico. Expuso, respaldado por la autoridad de «Padres, Papas y Concilios», la necesidad de la preparación espiritual para la Santa Comunión, en oposición a la fórmula que había sido audazmente avanzada por más de un maestro jesuita, de que «cuanto más carecemos de la gracia divina, más debemos buscar a Jesucristo en la Eucaristía». El revuelo causado por su publicación demuestra cuán grave era la necesidad de este.
Por un lado fue acogido calurosamente, y muchos obispos y doctores piadosos atestiguaron su aprobación de su contenido; por el otro fue violentamente atacado. Los púlpitos jesuitas resonaron con insultos hacia él y hacia su autor. Todo París estaba perturbado por el revuelo que armó.