A Jesuit Saint And Shakespeare

The play Romeo and Juliet reflects in its moral theme some of the poetry and writing of the Jesuit priest and martyr, St. Robert Southwell, most notably in his poem, "Lewd Love is Loss". Southwell wrote of the difference between true love, i.e. caritas or charity, and the false love inspired by Venus or Eros, i.e. venereal or erotic "love". This is William Shakespeare's primary theme in Romeo and Juliet, of course. In my book, "Shakespeare On Love: Seeing the Catholic Presence in Romeo and Juliet", which will be published by Ignatius Press this autumn, there is a long appendix section on "The Jesuit Connection" in which Shakespeare's creative debt to Southwell is explored.

Link (here) to Joseph Pearce's full piece at St Austin Review

The True End Of Man

The earth, a comparatively small region of the solar system, is man's temporary habitation, the place, in which his life is originated, developed and completed. But what is the task which he is expected to accomplish during his brief sojourn in the present world? God creates nothing without a purpose or end. 

If His own rational creatures do nothing without some object or design, the same must, with far greater reason, be said of the infinite Creator, who could not make man, the crown and complement of creation, without a wise purpose, so that human existence might not be useless, so to speak, and meaningless. 

No necessity whatever pressed God to create the world, or man its inhabitant, for the infinitely perfect Being stands in need of nothing external to Himself. But when He once decreed to create, it was necessary that He should wish to attain by creation an end worthy of Himself. Such is evidently the postulate demanded by His infinite wisdom. Intending to speak further on of God's purpose in the creation of the universe, we ask now what is the end for which God made man?

Link (here) to read the mentioned portion of the book entitled, The Future Life by the one time Superior of the California Mission Fr. Joseph Casimir Sasia, S.J.

Fr. Emanuel Alvarez, S.J.

The Jesuit, Emanuel Alvarez of Lisbon (1526—1583),

produced in 1572 a Latin Grammar, which has been extolled as the first in which the fancies of the ancient grammarians were laid aside. It was the  text-book in all the Jesuit schools, and has often been reprinted, the latest edition being that of Paris in 1879.

Link (here)

Sarcotis

A German Jesuit, named Jacob Masen or Masenius, who was a professor of rhetoric in Cologne, and died in 1681. Among his manuscripts found after his death were three volumes, the first of which was a treatise on general literature, the second a collection of lyrics, epics, elegies etc., and the third a number of dramas. In the second manuscript was an epic entitled "Sarcotis" The world would never have known anything about "Sarcotis" had not a Scotchman, named William Lauder, succeeded in finding it, somewhere, about 1753, i. e. seventy-two years after Masen's death. He ran it through the press immediately, to prove that John Milton had copied it in his "Paradise Lost." Whereupon all England rose in its wrath to defend its idol. Lauder was convicted of having intercalated in the "Sarcotis," a Latin translation of some of the lines of "Paradise Lost," and had to hide himself in some foreign land to expiate his crime against the national infatuation. Four years later (1757), Abbe Denouart published a translation of the genuine text of "Sarcotis." The poem was found to be an excellent piece of work, and like "Paradise Lost," its theme was the disobedience of Adam and Eve, their expulsion from Paradise, the disasters consequent upon this sin of pride. Whether Milton ever read "Sarcotis" is not stated.

Link (here) to the mentioned portion of the book entitled The Jesuits, 1534-1921

A Jesuit Epic "Columbus" By Fr. Ubertino Carrara, S.J.

An epic poem on the discovery of America, entitled " Columbus," written by Ubertino Carrara, an Italian Jesuit. This poem was first published, in 1715, at Rome. The author was a Neapolitan, and of noble descent ; and was for many years professor of polite literature at Rome in the Jesuits' College. He is said, in the Biographie Universelle, to have continued in this station till his death ; but this seems to be contradicted by a passage in the poem itself. Near the end of the last book of the Columbus, there are the following lines, which imply, that the poet had resided at least ten years in America.

" At me jam dudum defunctum finibus Indis, Dedoctum Latias, et barbara verba sonantem, Tybridis ad ripas; ubi, post duo lustra reversus, Fassus crine senem. Jam me gratissimus amnis Reptatam geminis a Fundatoribus oram, Semiferina inter Caribum commercia, voces Suadet amor quassam cursu revocare phaselum Dulcibus expector vix agnoscendus amicis, Accipit averso labentem gurgite ; nosco Altricisque Lupae caveam ; gradiorque sub umbra Heliadum, quas digrediens arbusta reliqui." Lib. xn. 941.

Blogger Note: Translated very clunky-like with a web translator, definitely not slavishly accurate.

" But me jam for a long while deceased to cease Indis Dedoctum Latias , and barbarously lashing sonantem Tybridis to ripas ; when , after two may traverse to return Fassus hair old age. Jam me gratissimus stream Reptatam to double a Fundatoribus oram, Semiferina among Rottenness wares voces To recommend love a shaking a race to call back phaselum Sweetly expector scarcely agnoscendus friendship , To consider oneself indebted to repulse labentem whirlpool ; to become acquainted with Altricisque Lupae hollow place ; to conduct one's self up to, under shade Heliadum , whom to depart a vineyard planted with trees remainder "

As the author died in 1715, the same year in which his poem was published, and as he had then just returned from America, it may be fairly inferred, that the poem was chiefly written, or greatly modified, on this side of the Atlantic. There are passages, likewise, which indicate familiarity with the scenery of the Canary Islands and the West Indies.

The "Columbus" is constructed according to the most approved rules of epic song. The unities are fully preserved ; and the whole plan of the poem, including episodes and characters, would no doubt receive the sanction of the Stagyrite, except perhaps the introduction of the heathen mythology, in connection with Christianity, which admits of no other defense than the practice of some of the predecessors of Carrara ; particularly of Camoens in the "Lusiad." The author obviously meant to have authority for the arrangement of the principal parts of his poem. Like the "Aeneid," it consists of twelve books ; and the whole number of lines differs but little from that of the epic of Virgil.

Link (here) to a much larger and fuller explanation of Columbus.

Book Jesuit

The Oxford Companion to the Book

By Michael F. Suarez, S.J. and H. R. Woudhuysen

"This magnificent reference work is a tribute to - and celebration of - a revolutionary invention ... An extraordinary tour de force, a cornucopia of bookish information ... These volumes, then, are a paradise for book-lovers " (Noel Malcolm, Sunday Telegraph).

THE book about books: “The Oxford Companion to the Book”, edited by Michael F. Suarez, S.J. and H. R. Woudhuysen, is a unique work of reference about all aspects of the book, from ancient times to the present day. It includes traditional subjects such as bibliography, palaeography, the history of printing, editorial theory and practice, textual criticism, book collecting, and libraries as well as new aspects and developments in the history of the book that have come up with electronic publishing. The “Oxford Companion” pays particular attention to how different societies shape books and how books shape societies - throughout the world, from Europe and North America to the Middle East, Asia, Latin America, and Sub-Saharan Africa.

The first part of this monumental two-volume “Companion” is a series of introductory essays which provide generic histories of the book ranging from writing systems, the ancient and the medieval book, through central aspects of book production, theories of text, editorial theory and textual criticism. The second part covers the whole history of the book from A to Z in more than 5,000 entries, in brief definitions, biographical entries and more extensive treatments about

Link (here) to read the full review

Tom Playfair

"TOMMY! "

No answer.

" Tommy—do you hear me ? Get up this moment, sir. Do you think this house is a hotel? Every one's at breakfast except yourself."

Miss Meadow, Tom Playfair's maternal aunt, stood without the door of Master Playfair's sleeping apartment. She paused for a moment, partly to gain her breath (having come up three pairs of stairs to arouse Tom) and partly to await some reply from our sleeping hero.

The silence, however, was simply emphasized by the ticking of the great clock in the hall.

" Tommy!" she resumed at length, in a higher key, " do you hear me ?"

Her strained ears caught the dull sound as of some one turning lazily in his bed. " Now you're awake, sir, jump right up, and dress for your breakfast."

"Sho! scat!" came a yawning voice from the room.

"Dear me!" cried poor Miss Meadow, "the boy doesn't mind me in the least."

"What's the trouble, Jane?" queried Mr. Playfair, who just then issued from his room.

" I can't get that Tommy out of bed. He's growing worse every day, George. Last week he was late for school five times."

"I'll fix that, Jane," said Mr. Playfair. And he took one step toward Tom's sleeping-room, when the door of that apartment opened a few inches, discovering a young face peering anxiously from beneath a mass of tangled hair.

"Pa," said the apparition, "I'm dressing just as fast as I know how. I heard you, auntie, and I'm coming right away."

Link (here) to the book entitled Tom Playfair, by Fr. Francis Finn, S.J.

Monumenta Historica Societatis Iesu

A few years ago, over lunch in an Indian restaurant near Harvard Square, I learned that one of the best examples of organizational agility was founded in 1540 through a papal bull issued by Pope Paul III. My lunch companion was Father John W. O’Malley, (pictured left) a leading historian of the Renaissance church, member of the American Academy of Arts and Sciences, and a Jesuit priest.

O’Malley spent years researching the early decades of the Society of Jesus, often refered to as the Jesuits, poring over the Monumenta Historica Societatis Iesu, a 157 volume record of the early years of the Jesuit order including letters from the founding members, rules and directives, and quarterly reports on the state of the order. O’Malley’s research resulted in The First Jesuits, the definitive study of the first quarter century of the order, which won the American Philosophical Society’s prize for the best cultural history published that year. O’Malley’s book strips away many of the stereotypes and misconceptions that have surrounded the Jesuits over the centuries, and presents an unvarnished account of the foundation and early decades of the order.

Link (here) to Don Sull's blog at the Financial Times

The Transcript Of The St. Robert Bellermine's Inquisition Of Galileo

For Sale a vellum bound transcript of the

Jesuit Saint Robert Bellarmine's

of his Inquisition of Galileo dated 1589.
Link (here) to the eBay auction for $750.00
or (here) $3,500.00

.

1589 Jesuit Cardinal Robert Bellarmine of Galileo Inquisition

Rare & Valuable Vellum Bound Collection of Controversial Writ

This is a wonderful and rare offering of the following work written in Latin

Main author: Bellarmino, Roberto Francesco Romolo, Saint, 1542-1621.

Title details: Disputationes Roberti Bellarmini Politiani Societatis Iesu…

Published: Ingolstadii : Ex typographia Davidis Sartorii, 1589

Subject: Catholic Church

Apologetic works

Counter-Reformation

Church and state

Language: Latin

This is a wonderful volume with fantastic contents and would make a great addition to any collection. I have recently been so pleased by hearing how much my books have been delightful gifts for others. Therefore, I encourage you to think ahead…Anniversary, Birthday, Father’s Day, Mother’s Day, or any other special occasion! As a book lover there is not much I would rather receive as a gift. This is one of several such works I am listing, so be sure to check out my other listings. I have included a biography at the end of the listing for those interested. Wear: wear as seen in the photos; see photos Binding: tight and secure vellum binding Pages: complete with all 155+373+171 pages; plus indexes, preface, and such; the first 15 pages or so have some discoloration; uncertain if there is supposed to be more title pages; there are three distinct sections of the book; one section with a formal title page and 2 sections with half titles

Publisher: Ingolstadii : Ex typographia Davidis Sartorii, 1589
Unique features: rare and excellent contents; ~ 7in X 4.5in (17cm x 11.5cm)

Nigerian Jesuit Fr.Uwem Akpan's New Story "Baptizing The Gun"

“Please, where can I get a mechanic?” I ask when he gives up on pushing.

“Lagos mechanics? Don’t trust any Lagosian. I’m a Lagosian. Once they see you’re a stranger, they’ll cheat you or dismember and sell your car piecemeal, no matter how old. Just listen to me.” He pushes the Beetle again. “O.K., let’s see your engine,” he says when we come to a junction. Fearfully, I open the hood. He bends down and disconnects a tube and hands it to me. “Suck this, man. The problem must be the fuel filter.”

Suck? I’ve never fixed anything in a car before. Back at my parish, I have a driver. “I think we should get a mechanic.”

“Damn it, man, you don’t need a fucking mechanic!”

He takes off his sunglasses to reveal small, angry eyes. I grab the tube. Petrol gushes into my throat, and I let go of the tube, coughing. I puke on the front of my blue-and-white buba shirt. The petrol soaks into my clothes, its cold sting reaching the zipper of my jeans. Ignoring my state, he bends down again to study the engine.

I see a pistol bulging in the right pocket of his trousers.

Why didn’t I wear my priestly habit? Why didn’t I borrow one of those church vehicles with “Catholic Archdiocese of Lagos” emblazoned on its sides?

I begin to plead with the Lagosian. “Please, I’m a Roman Catholic priest and . . .”

“So? You Nigerian clerics just want everything free! You flash your status at every chance.” When he talks, the two gold teeth burn in the night, as if he were chewing flames.

Link (here) to read the full story at The New Yorker

Photo of a Lagos street scene.

305 Year Old Jesuit History For Sale

ANTIQUE COLONIAL 1704 JESUIT LATIN BOOK
with 18th century ROSARY

This set is comprised of an extremely rare antique Jesuit (Society of Jesus) Latin book dated 1704 and
an antique late 18th century rosary

The leather bound hard cover book measures about 6 3/8" x 4 1/2" x 2" and has 740 pages
The book is entitled: EPITOME INSTITUTI SOCIETATIS JESU
The book is in good condition for its age (305 years old!)
As you can see from the pictures, the top and bottom covers are worn
and the last three pages of the index are torn. Apart from this, the book is in very good condition.

The antique wood and bronze late 1700's rosary measures about 19 1/2" long stretched out.
I believe the beads are made of seeds, same as those used in rosary belts.
One of the medals is marked in French Church of Saint Anne de Beaupre
(it was the first church of the French-Canadian settlers who colonized North America)
before the church became the Basilica

Link (here) with more pictures

Blogger Note: this book is not in public domain go (here)

An Old Jesuit Book At St. Joseph's University

Imagines praepositorum generalium Societatis Iesu
(1748; Rome, 1751)

Arnaldo Van Westerhout

SPECIAL COLLECTIONS, FRANCIS A. DREXEL LIBRARY
SAINT JOSEPH’S UNIVERSITY

Link (here)
Photo (here)

God And His Works

LONENESS—NOT LONELINESS

LAMARTINE tells us that solitude always helped to make him a better man and to draw him closer to God. All through his variegated career he felt this, and even when he was living with the most agreeable people and moving in entirely congenial society, he felt the need of finding that complete solitude which from his childhood had been one of life's necessities. " Nothing is worth an hour's quiet communing with oneself," he declares. " It was in the country that I sought and found it. There was not much beauty there certainly, but it was solitary; there were not many fine trees or beautiful flowers, but there was God and His works, and that was enough."

Link (here) to the full essay by Fr. David Bearne, S.J.

St. Peter's Complaint

A small portion of the poem by St. Robert Southwell, S.J.

O pools of Hesebon ; the baths of grace,

Where happy spirits dine in sweet desires,

Where saints rejoice to glaze their glorious face.

Whose banks make echo to the angel's quires ;

An echo sweeter in the soul rebound,

Then angel's music in the fullest sound !

Link (here)




From the e-book the Complete Poems By St. Robert Southwell, S.J.