Rev. N. J. Grou

Fr. Jean Nicolas Grou, S.J., was a French Jesuit priest, theologian, and spiritual writer, born in Calais on November 23, 1731. He entered the Society of Jesus at the age of fifteen and pursued his studies at the prestigious college of Louis-le-Grand in Paris. Early in life, he distinguished himself with a well-received translation of Plato, yet his true calling lay in the interior life and the pursuit of Christian perfection. After the suppression of the Jesuits in France, he continued his religious life in Lorraine and later in Holland, devoting much of his time to study and writing, particularly on Greek philosophy.

Called back to Paris by the Archbishop, Fr. Grou served in spiritual direction until the upheaval of the French Revolution forced him into hiding. In 1792, he found refuge in England, where he was welcomed by the Weld family at Lulworth Castle. There, he lived out his final years in peace, offering spiritual guidance and writing many of his most treasured ascetical works. His wisdom and holiness earned him the deep respect of all who knew him, and his time at Lulworth left a lasting mark on Catholic life in England.

Father Grou’s writings are rich in doctrine and spiritual depth, springing from a life of prayer, sacrifice, and love for the Sacred Heart of Jesus. Among his most notable works are The Interior of Jesus and Mary, The Characteristics of True Devotion, The Science of the Crucifix, and Meditations on the Love of God. These books, written either in hiding during the Revolution or later in exile, continue to nourish the interior life of the faithful and are being made available once more to English-speaking Catholics eager to pursue holiness in the spirit of the saints.