Catherine Theot
Encyclopedia
Catherine ThéotCatherine Théot (born at Barenton
(Normandy
), France
in 1716; died September 1, 1794) was a French visionary
.
From her youth a victim of hallucination
s, a long course of religious asceticism
in the convent of the Miramiones in Paris
unhinged her mind, and she was placed under restraint. Liberated in 1782, her early delusions concerning a Messiah
became accentuated; that she was destined to be the mother of the new Messiah, she was now assured; she pictured to her followers the fantastic features of the coming Paradise
on earth; and was hailed as the "Mother of God". From the idea of the advent of a Messiah to its realization was but a step; in Robespierre the Theotists saw the redeemer of mankind; and preparations for his initiation were put in motion. The enemies of Robespierre, resenting his theocratic aims, seized upon his relations with the Theotists as an engine of revenge; Catherine, with Gerle and others, was arrested and imprisoned, and a letter to Robespierre discovered in her house. In the Convention, Marc-Guillaume Alexis Vadier
trumped up the conspiracy of Théot, asserting that Catherine was a tool of Pitt
, that the mummeries of the Theotists were but a cloak for clerical and reactionary intrigue, and hinting that Robespierre favored their designs. The case was adjourned to the Revolutionary Tribunal, and figured in the proceedings of 9th Thermidor
. The accused were ultimately acquitted, Catherine herself having died in prison.
Barenton
Barenton is a commune in the Manche department in the Basse-Normandie region in north-western France.-See also:*Communes of the Manche department*Parc naturel régional Normandie-Maine...
(Normandy
Normandy
Normandy is a geographical region corresponding to the former Duchy of Normandy. It is in France.The continental territory covers 30,627 km² and forms the preponderant part of Normandy and roughly 5% of the territory of France. It is divided for administrative purposes into two régions:...
), France
France
The French Republic , The French Republic , The French Republic , (commonly known as France , is a unitary semi-presidential republic in Western Europe with several overseas territories and islands located on other continents and in the Indian, Pacific, and Atlantic oceans. Metropolitan France...
in 1716; died September 1, 1794) was a French visionary
Visionary
Defined broadly, a visionary, is one who can envision the future. For some groups this can involve the supernatural or drugs.The visionary state is achieved via meditation, drugs, lucid dreams, daydreams, or art. One example is Hildegard of Bingen, a 12th century artist/visionary and Catholic saint...
.
From her youth a victim of hallucination
Hallucination
A hallucination, in the broadest sense of the word, is a perception in the absence of a stimulus. In a stricter sense, hallucinations are defined as perceptions in a conscious and awake state in the absence of external stimuli which have qualities of real perception, in that they are vivid,...
s, a long course of religious asceticism
Asceticism
Asceticism describes a lifestyle characterized by abstinence from various sorts of worldly pleasures often with the aim of pursuing religious and spiritual goals...
in the convent of the Miramiones in Paris
Paris
Paris is the capital and largest city in France, situated on the river Seine, in northern France, at the heart of the Île-de-France region...
unhinged her mind, and she was placed under restraint. Liberated in 1782, her early delusions concerning a Messiah
Messiah
A messiah is a redeemer figure expected or foretold in one form or another by a religion. Slightly more widely, a messiah is any redeemer figure. Messianic beliefs or theories generally relate to eschatological improvement of the state of humanity or the world, in other words the World to...
became accentuated; that she was destined to be the mother of the new Messiah, she was now assured; she pictured to her followers the fantastic features of the coming Paradise
Paradise
Paradise is a place in which existence is positive, harmonious and timeless. It is conceptually a counter-image of the miseries of human civilization, and in paradise there is only peace, prosperity, and happiness. Paradise is a place of contentment, but it is not necessarily a land of luxury and...
on earth; and was hailed as the "Mother of God". From the idea of the advent of a Messiah to its realization was but a step; in Robespierre the Theotists saw the redeemer of mankind; and preparations for his initiation were put in motion. The enemies of Robespierre, resenting his theocratic aims, seized upon his relations with the Theotists as an engine of revenge; Catherine, with Gerle and others, was arrested and imprisoned, and a letter to Robespierre discovered in her house. In the Convention, Marc-Guillaume Alexis Vadier
Marc-Guillaume Alexis Vadier
Marc-Guillaume Alexis Vadier was a French politician of the French Revolution.-Early career:Son of a wealthy family in Pamiers, Ariège, he served in the army of the king Louis XV, taking part in the Seven Years' War and the Battle of Rossbach on 5 November 1757...
trumped up the conspiracy of Théot, asserting that Catherine was a tool of Pitt
Pitt
Pitt is a surname of English origin. Used on its own, in Europe or History it most commonly refers to one of two British statesmen:*William Pitt, 1st Earl of Chatham , British Prime Minister & 1st Earl of Chatham 1766–1768** Pittsburgh, Pennsylvania was named for Pitt the Elder and is...
, that the mummeries of the Theotists were but a cloak for clerical and reactionary intrigue, and hinting that Robespierre favored their designs. The case was adjourned to the Revolutionary Tribunal, and figured in the proceedings of 9th Thermidor
Thermidor
Thermidor was the eleventh month in the French Republican Calendar. The month was named after the French word thermal which comes from the Greek word "thermos" which means heat....
. The accused were ultimately acquitted, Catherine herself having died in prison.