Beatrix d'Ornacieux
Female·November 25·13th century
Beatrix d'Ornacieux was a Carthusian nun known for founding a settlement of her order at Eymieux. Her Vita, written by Marguerite of Oingt, details her profound devotion to the Passion of Christ, including an act of self-mortification to better experience His suffering.
Key Facts
- ›Beatrix D'Ornacieux was a Carthusian nun.
- ›She founded a settlement of the Carthusian order at Eymieux in the Drôme department.
- ›Her vita, written by Marguerite of Oingt, describes her intense devotion to the Passion of Christ.
- ›She is said to have driven a nail through her left hand to better understand the sufferings of the Crucifixion.
- ›Her cultus was confirmed by Pope Pius IX in 1869.
- ›Her feast day is celebrated on November 25th.

Beatrice of Ornacieux
Carthusian
About Beatrix d'Ornacieux
Blessed Beatrix d'Ornacieux (c. 1240–1306/09) was a significant figure within the Carthusian Order, recognized for her spiritual devotion and her role as a founder. Her life and spirituality are most notably documented in her Vita, penned by Marguerite of Oingt.
Life and Spirituality
Born around 1240, Beatrix became a Carthusian nun. Her most prominent contribution to the order was the establishment of a new settlement at Eymieux, located in the modern-day department of Drôme in France. This act marked her as a founder within her religious community.
Her spiritual life was characterized by a profound and intense devotion to the Passion of Christ. The Vita attributes to her a striking act of mortification undertaken to more fully empathize with Christ's suffering: she is said to have driven a nail through her left hand, thereby seeking a tangible connection to the pains of the Crucifixion.
Veneration
The spiritual veneration of Beatrix d'Ornacieux was formally recognized when Pope Pius IX confirmed her cultus in 1869. Her feast day is celebrated annually on November 25th, as noted in the current Carthusian Calendar. While historical accounts detail her founding activities and her intense piety, further biographical details and specific locations of veneration are less extensively documented in readily available records.
Source: Wikipedia ↗
Frequently Asked Questions
Who was Beatrix d'Ornacieux?
Beatrix d'Ornacieux was a Carthusian nun who lived in the 13th and early 14th centuries. She is recognized as Blessed within the Catholic Church.
What is Beatrix d'Ornacieux known for?
She is primarily known for founding a settlement of the Carthusian order at Eymieux. Her Vita also highlights her deep devotion to the Passion of Christ.
When is Beatrix d'Ornacieux's feast day?
Her feast day is observed on November 25th, according to the current Carthusian Calendar.
What notable act of devotion is attributed to Beatrix d'Ornacieux?
According to her Vita, Beatrix d'Ornacieux drove a nail through her left hand as a means to more deeply comprehend and experience the suffering of Christ during the Crucifixion.
Has Beatrix d'Ornacieux been officially recognized by the Church?
Yes, her cultus, or the veneration of her as a holy figure, was confirmed by Pope Pius IX in 1869.
Related Blesseds
Christina von Stommeln
Christina von Stommeln was a Roman Catholic mystic, ecstatic, and stigmatic who experienced religious visions from a young age. Her life was marked by profound spiritual experiences, including the manifestation of stigmata, and she became a significant figure of devotion in the medieval period.
Helen Enselmini
Helen Enselmini was an Italian Franciscan nun known for her devout adherence to the Rule of St. Clare and her acceptance of suffering. She is venerated for her spiritual life, including reports of inedia, and was beatified by the Catholic Church in 1695.
Françoise d'Amboise
Françoise d'Amboise was a French noblewoman who became Duchess of Brittany and later a Carmelite nun. She was instrumental in establishing the first Carmelite convent in France and is venerated as a Blessed.