Selected Writings of St. Ignatius of Loyola - Paolo …

1 Selected Writings of St. Ignatius of Loyola with commentary by Joseph N. Tylenda, #index INTRODUCTION TO THE Selected LETTERS OF ST. Ignatius OF Loyola by Joseph N. Tylenda, Much of Saint Ignatius Loyola 's spiritual teaching is found in his letters, and these have al-ways been regarded by Jesuits as an important source of their spirituality. Among Ignatius ' many letters, those written to his fellow Jesuits have always had a special place, for in these the Jesuit of today not only finds Ignatius ' teaching on the spiritual life, but he also meets Ignatius the man, ex-pressing his affection for and interest in those to whom he wrote.

2 None of Ignatius ' other Writings so ably exhibits the love he bore in his heart for those who chose to walk with him along the path to-ward Christ than do these letters. This present collection contains fifty letters and instructions written to Jesuits. The reader will find included the ever-famous letters on perfection, obedience, and experiencing the effects of pov-erty. In fact, these are more than letters, they are short treatises on these very subjects. Also in-cluded are Ignatius ' instructions on how to deal with others, written when the early Jesuits were leaving Rome as papal legates for Ireland, or as papal theologians to attend the Council of Trent, or when they were on their way to establish the Society in Germany.

3 There are also personal letters encouraging his correspondents, exhorting them to care for their health and moderate their pen-ances, or to view their illness as a gift from God. There are likewise letters of reproof, and though Ignatius writes as Father General, he at the same time writes as a father to a son. While correcting his child, he intimates that this correction flows from paternal love. These fifty letters are not newly translated, but are a selection and a revision of the letters translated by William J. Young, , and published as Letters of St. Ignatius of Loyola (Chicago: Loyola University Press, 1959). The revision was made with constant reference to the twelve vol-umes of Ignatius ' letters in the Monumenta Ignatiana series of the Monumenta Historica Societatis Iesu (MHSI) (Madrid, 1903-1911).

4 The introductions and notes were written especially for this edi-tion, and in large measure depend on the introductions that precede Ignatius ' letters in the fourth re-vised edition of Obras Completas de San Ignacio de Loyola (Madrid: Biblioteca de Autores Cris-tianos, 1982), edited by Ignacio Iparraguirre, , and Candido de Dalmases, In this present edition each letter is preceded by a short introduction, identifying the letter's recipient and indicating or explaining the occasion for the letter. The letters are given in chronologi-cal order and cover the years from September 1541 to July 20, 1566, eleven days before Ignatius ' death.

5 Toward the end of each introduction, reference is made to where the letter may be found in the volumes of the Monumenta Ignatiana. - 2 - LETTERS OF ST. Ignatius 1 To Fathers Bro t and Salmer n On Dealing with Others 2 To Father Sim o Rodrigues On Being a Reconciler 3 To Father Giovanni Battista Viola On Obedience 4 To Father Pierre Favre Care in writing Letters 5 To the Scholastics at Alcal On Maturing Spiritually 6 To Father Nicol s Bobadilla A Fraternal Correction 7 To Father Claude Jay A Secret Mission of Charity 8 To the Fathers Attending Council of Trent On Dealing with Others 9 To the Fathers and Brothers Studying at Coimbra On Perfection 10 To the Fathers and Brothers at Padua On Feeling the Effects of Poverty 11 To Francisco de Borja.

6 Duke of Gand a On Prayer and Penance 12 To the Fathers Departing for Germany Practical Norms 13 To the Jesuits in Roman Houses On Prompt and Blind Obedience 14 To the Members of the Society Gathered in Rome Ignatius Submits His Resignation 15 To Father Antonio Brand o On Aspects of the Spiritual Life 16 To Father Antonio Araoz On Caring for One's Health 17 To Father Jean Pelletier On Ministering to the Neighbor 18 To Father Claude Jay On the Study of Theology 19 To Father Manuel Godinho On Necessary Temporal Occupations 20 To Father Francisco de Borja On Declining Ecclesiastical Dignities 21 To Those Sent to Minister to Others Principles for Ministry 22 To Father Diego Mir On Dismissing the Disobedient 23 To the Members of the Society in Europe On Patience in Practicing Poverty 24 To Father Diego Mir On Being Confessors to Kings 25 To the Members of the Society in Portugal On Perfect Obedience 26 To the Whole Society Prayers for Germany and England 27 To Hannibal de Coudret On Prudence in Reading 28 To Father Nicholas Goudanus On the Gift of Tears 29 To Father Philip Leernus A Letter of Encouragement 30 To Teutonio da Bragan a On Sickness as an Exercise of Virtue - 3 - 31 To Father Jer nimo Dom

7 Nech On Preferring the Universal Good of the Society over that of a Particular Province 32 To Father Gaspar Berze On Moderation in Penance 33 To Francesco de Attino On Preserving One's Health for God's Service 34 To Father Peter Canisius On the Society's Duty to Oppose Heresy 35 To the Whole Society On Dealing with Superiors 36 To Father Giovanni Francesco Araldo On Humble Obedience to Superiors' Decisions 37 To Bartolomeo Romano On the Need for Interior Change 38 To Father Ponce Cogordan Norms for Reforming Convents of Nuns 39 To Father Robert Claysson On Avoiding an Overly Ornate Style 40 To Father Alberto Ferrarese On Hearing Women's Confessions 41 To All Superiors of the Society On Speaking the Language of the Country 42 To Father Antonio Soldevila On Humble Amendment 43 To Father Adrian Adriaenssens On Frugality in Meals 44 To Father Lorenzo da Modena On Universal Charity 45 To Brother Giovanni Battista On the Desire to Study 46 To Emerio de Bonis On Preserving Chastity 47 To Father Juan Mar n On Scruples 48 To Father Alfonso Rom n On the Spiritual Value of Contradic-tions 49 To Father Fulvio Androzzi On the Exercises as an Efficacious Means of Helping Souls 50 To Stefano Casanova On Moderation

8 In Mortification - 4 - 1. TO FATHERS BRO T AND SALMER N On Dealing with Others Rome, early September 1541 In November 1538, Ignatius placed himself and his companions at the disposal of Pope Paul III and expressed his and their willingness to be sent wherever the pope needed them. Within a short time the pontiff called on the Jesuits to go to Siena, Parma, and India. Now, at the suggestion of the English cardinal, Reginald Pole, Paul III chose to send Paschase Bro t1 and Alfonso Salmer n2 as legates to Ireland to help stem the spread of King Henry VIII's heretical ideas. Their task was to visit bishops, reform monasteries, and rekindle the faith among the Irish people.

9 They left Rome on Sep-tember 10, 1541. Ignatius prepared two instructions for these Jesuits; the one translated below gives the norms they are to follow in their apostolate. They are to adapt themselves to the temperaments of the individuals with whom they deal and, to win them over, they are instructed to enter the other's door but to come out their own. The legates arrived in Ul-ster, Ireland, on February 23, 1542, and after thirty-four grim days encountering innumerable and insurmountable diffi-culties, they left Ireland without accomplishing the purpose of their visit. This instruction was prepared in early Sep-tember 1541, and was written in Spanish [Ep.]

10 1:179-181]. How to Deal and Converse with others in the Lord In all your dealings be slow to speak and say little, especially with your equals and those lower in dignity and authority than yourselves. Be ready to listen for long periods and until each one has had his say. Answer the questions put to you, come to an end, and take your leave. If a rejoinder is required, let your reply be as brief as possible, and take leave promptly and politely. In dealing with men of position or influence if you hope to win their affection for the greater glory of God our Lord first consider their temperaments and adapt yourselves to them. If they are of a lively temper, quick and cheerful in speech, follow their lead while speaking to them of good and holy things, and do not be serious, glum, and reserved.