Pascal Memorial

At the time of his acquaintance (called biographers “first conversion”) with the ideas of Jansenism (1646), Pascal carefully studied and pondered for a long time about Jansenia’s treatise “On the transformation of the inner man” ( Discours de la réformation de l'homme intérieur ). It explored the three passions for a person: libido sentiendi (lust of feeling), libido sciendi (lust of knowledge), libido dominandi (lust of power) - it was in them that Janseny saw the root of evil. And if the "lust of feeling" never had a meaning in Pascal's life, then the passion for knowledge, research has always pursued him. Pascal wondered if his scientific studies and his desire to prove his primacy in discoveries was an obstacle to becoming a true Christian.

Blaza’s “Appeal,” as it began to manifest itself over time, was far from complete, rather intellectual and bookish, and did not affect all the depths of his being. He sincerely accepted some new religious ideas for him, which, however, differed from his actions. ^[one]

The shocks experienced by Pascal in the early 1650s. in connection with the death of his father and the departure of his beloved younger sister to the monastery, his religious ardor cooled him a little and made him seek solace in high life. Around the end of 1653, he began to feel regret that he had not followed the call of Jansenia, had not overcome his passion for knowledge and the love of fame. His older sister, Gilberta, notes that Pascal dislikes the light and fears that his temper may cause conflicts. Pascal shares his spiritual experiences with his sister Jacqueline , the nun of Port-Royal , who notes in him "... humility and humility ... It is clear that it is not his natural spirit that acts in him ...". He leaves science, constantly reading the Gospel, but his melancholy and uncertainty do not subside. The climax comes at the end of November 1654 . On the night of November 23-24 , according to various explanations by researchers, he experiences a shock, a hallucination, an ecstasy, he acquires a prophecy from above. "Memorial" reveals the contradictions in whose power Pascal was located - a scholar and a Christian. According to many biographers, this document is the "program of the last five or six years" of the scientist and explains the whole subsequent life of Pascal.

“Memorial” is a document of exceptional biographical significance. One has only to imagine that he would never have been discovered, as in the life of Pascal inevitably arises some kind of impenetrable area, mysterious for researchers and his biography, and his work. <...> In the "Memorial" Pascal revolts against himself, and does it with such a passionate conviction, examples of which can be counted not so much in the history of mankind. No matter how incomprehensible to us are the circumstances of the writing of the Memorial, but, not knowing this document, Pascal himself cannot be understood. ” ^[2]

The text, which is different both in terms of content and in terms of style from all the works of Pascal, was first written down on paper, and after a few hours it was copied on a parchment. Pascal added his quotations from the Holy Scriptures and the final lines on the submission to Christ and the confessor.

“Memorial” was discovered by chance after Pascal’s death: a servant who put his clothes in order found a document sewn up in a camisole floor with a draft copy.

Pascal concealed the incident from everyone, even from Jacqueline, with whom he was spiritually close.

From the end of 1654, Pascal, who had recently announced the forthcoming publication of new mathematical works in the “Message of the Paris Academy”, broke away from scientific work and broke with the secular life that he had led in the last few years. At this time, he was finally determined with the choice of confessor (he became Antoine Senglen ) and leaves Paris , securing himself in the suburban Port-Royal .

Some researchers believe that the writing of “Memorial” was preceded by the so-called “incident on the bridge in Neuilly ”. As if during one of the trips, the carriage in which Pascal was with friends was only miraculously kept on the bridge near the village of Neuilly, when the front horses fell into the river. And many add that during this incident, Pascal lost consciousness, and then suffered insomnia and fear of falling into the abyss. A record of this incident in the vicinity of Paris was made anonymously many years after the death of Pascal, and the story itself allegedly ascended to the scientist's sister, Gilbert Perier. However, Gilbert in the biography of his brother does not at all mention the “incident on the bridge in Neuilly”, and there is no evidence from other contemporaries of Pascal. It is possible that this episode is not “a completely reliable fact of Pascal’s biography” ^[3] .

YEAR THANKS 1654
Monday, November 23, is the day of St. Clement, the Pope and the martyr and other martyrs.
The eve of St. Chrysogon the martyr and others. From about ten and half o'clock in the evening to half past midnight.
THE FIRE
The God of Abraham, the God of Isaac, the God of Jacob,
but not the God of Philosophers and scientists.
Confidence. Confidence. Feeling, Joy, Peace.
God of Jesus Christ.
Deum meum et Deum vestrum (my God and your God).
Your God will be my God.
Oblivion of the world and everything except God.
It can only be obtained on the paths indicated in the Gospel.
The greatness of the human soul.
The righteous Father, the world did not know you, but I know you.
Joy, Joy, Joy, tears of joy.
I separated from him.
Dereliquerunt me fontem aquae vivae (Left me sources of living water)
My God, will you leave me?
Yes, I will not be separated from him forever.
This is eternal life, so that they will know you the only true God and I. X.
Jesus Christ
Jesus Christ
I separated from him. I fled from him, renounced, crucified him.
Yes, I will not be separated from him ever!
You can save it only on the paths indicated in the Gospel.
Renunciation full and sweet.
Full submission to Jesus Christ and my confessor.
Eternal joy for the day of the feat on earth.
Non obliviscar sermones tuos. Amen (May I not forget Thy instructions. Amen.) [one]

• Œuvres de Blaise Pascal. T. xii. Paris, 1925 (5e éd.). P. 3-6 .
• Butru E. Pascal. - SPb., 1901.
• Garin I. Resurrection of the Spirit. - M .: Terra, 1992. - 640 p. - ISBN 5-85255089-2 .
• Tarasov B. Blaise Pascal . - M .: Young Guard, 1979. - 334 p. - 100 000 copies
• Pascal B. Das Memorial. - Glock u. Lutz, 1955. - 8 p.
• Pascal B. Mauriac F. Pascal's thought of his works. - 1940. - 141 p.
• Mesnard J. Pascal. - Paris., 1951.

• Rainer Zaiser . Die Epiphanie in der französischen Literatur . Gunter Narr Verlag, 1995. ISBN 9783823346166 . Page 64 ff.
• http://www.users.csbsju.edu/~eknuth/pascal.html
• http://www.bibleetnombres.online.fr/memorial1.htm