Ignatius of Loyola: Letters and Instructions

by Ignatius of Loyola, John W. Padberg (Editor), John L. McCarthy (Editor)

Ignatius of Loyola is well known for his Spiritual Exercises and the Constitutions. But he was also the author of about 7,000 letters, some 370 of which are contained in a volume that is now the largest such collection in English. Addressed to popes and future popes, cardinals and bishops, emperors and kings, relatives, penitents, friends, pilgrims, students, and fellow Jesuits, the topics of the letters range across a spectrum of personal, political, social, educational, financial, and, especially, religious concerns. Their style and tone depend on the recipient, varying from businesslike, warmly personal, courtly, gently reassuring, direct, or stern.

Genres: Catholic, Nonfiction, Religion, Christian

732 pages, Paperback

First published January 1, 1959

About the author

Saint Ignatius of Loyola was the principal founder and first Superior General of the Society of Jesus. Ignatius paid particular attention to the spiritual formation of his recruits and recorded his method in the Spiritual Exercises (published in Latin in 1548). In time, the method has become known as Ignatian spirituality. Ignatius was described by Pope Benedict XVI as being above all a man of God, who gave the first place of his life to God, and a man of profound prayer. Together with Peter Faber and Francis Xavier, he founded the religious order of the Society of Jesus (The Jesuits), and became its first Superior General, in Paris in 1541. He envisioned the purpose of the Society of Jesus to be missionary work and teaching. In addition to the vows of chastity, obedience and poverty of other religious orders in the church, Loyola instituted a fourth vow for Jesuits of obedience to the Pope, to engage in projects ordained by the pontiff. Jesuits were instrumental in leading the Counter-Reformation. He was beatified and then on March 12, 1622, was canonized. His feast day is July 31. He is the patron saint of the Basque historical territories of Guipúzcoa and Biscay and the Society of Jesus, among other things. He was declared patron saint of all spiritual retreats by Pope Pius XI in 1922.

Reviews

[Jeremiah Lorrig · Rating 4 out of 5]

I loved reading the writings of someone who knew the apostles. His command of scripture and care for the church spring from the letters so that now, almost 2,000 years later, believing people today can find inspiration and correction.

[Griffin Tschacher · Rating 5 out of 5]

Did not read them all but the ones I read I enjoyed