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Preface and Introduction

It would be no great exaggeration to say that few men in history have affected the movement of their generation more than St. Ignatius Loyola. It is no exaggeration to say that he produced this effect, least by the material work he did* most by the spirit which stirred within him, and which he awoke in others. Of all men, therefore, it would seem that he needs to be studied, if he is to be understood aright, in such documents as display his inner soul, rather than in the actual work he accomplished. Yet, until recent years, such a study has been difficult if not impossible; the letters of the saint have but lately been collected and published. A complete translation of these letters, many of which deal with passing business only* would scarcely, at present at least, repay the labour. But it is felt that a selection might well be made, especially of such letters as most reveal the soul of the saint. In this and other volumes that are to follow the editors have endeavoured to make such a selection. Their aim has been to include every letter which may be called “spiritual” even in a wide sense; they think they have omitted none

viii

PREFACE

which would seem to throw definite light on this side of the writer’s character.

The work of translation has not been easy. The style of the original is always involved,, the sentences are prolonged, unwieldy, and often ungrammatical; to reproduce these in fair English without losing the exact sense has been a continual problem. Where there has been unusual difficulty it is hoped that the style has been sacrificed rather than the sense. It has ibeen thought well to keep in the translation any peculiarities of the saint, such as his curious use of Latin words, his Spanish reverence for dignity, etc. To eliminate these would seem to exclude not the least important side-light on the character of the man.

Manresa House,

Roehampton, S. W,, Dec. 8, 1913.

INTRODUCTION.

It is unnecessary, by way of Introduction, to go through the life of the author of these letters. It will be enough to remind the reader of the most significant dates, so that he may know more accurately the circumstances under which each letter was written, and the period of the life of the saint which it illustrates.

Father Astrain, S. J., who is the latest and most reliable authority on the subject, decides for the year 1491 as the date of the birth of St. Ignatius. Accordingly he would have been thirty years of age at the time of the Siege of Pampeluna, which took place in 1521. After that the chronology is as follows:

  1. Conversion.

  2. Visit to the Holy Land.

  3. Return to Spain. — Barcelona.

  4. Aug. Studies at Alcala.

  5. „ „ Salamanca.

  6. Feb. „ „ Paris.

1 534. Aug. 1 5. First vows at Montmartre.

  1. Spain. — Venice.

INTRODUCTION

June

Ordination.

Rome.

Sept.

Approbation of the Institute of the Society of Jesus.

April

General of the Society of Jesus.

July

Death.

These dates will suffice to show the position of St. Ignatius at the time of the writing of each letter. An occasional discrepancy will be noticed in the dating of the letters, the date given at the beginning not always agreeing with that at the end. These are all due to the Spanish editors, who have first proved to themselves that the date given in the manuscript cannot be correct and have then added the more accurate date according to their knowledge. It has not been thought necessary to give their reasons or arguments here. If any further commentary is needed it will be supplied in the course of the volume. The foot-notes refer to the text, historical and other notes are gathered together at the end.

CONTENTS

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Chapter 1 of 26