Camilla Russell, Being a Jesuit in Renaissance Italy

Studies of the Society of Jesus during the sixteenth and seventeenth centuries have investigated Jesuit life-writing, its early history and practices, and the global missions at length.A synthesis of these topics, however, had been lacking, a lacuna now filled by this monograph.By way of the life cycle of a Jesuit from entry until departure, Camilla Russell examines the mentalities of the men wanting and gaining admission into the Society, Jesuits who wanted to serve locally and abroad, and their exit by death, withdrawal, or removal.Her analysis draws from "biographical writing," which ranged from lives to statements of entry to the indipetae.The last were petitions by candidates for the mission to the "Indies," a concept linked with Asia and the Americas.The Indies were also repurposed to apply to European locales as evident in southern Italy, which was dubbed "Our Indies."The indipetae, as Russell made clear, has generated interest from scholars although the full potential of these sixteen thousand petitions prior to the suppression in 1773 has yet to be exploited to its fullest (60-61).Underpinning the preparation of these "biographies" was the letter-writing practices of the Society that had its administrative functions along with the dispatches' potential to edify its readers (100-105).Jesuits copied and forwarded letters, some of which were printed to amplify circulation.Russell contains the largesse of documentary evidence, held at arsi, by focusing on the Italian members of the Society, resulting in a book made manageable, while also meaningful.Starting with an excellent overview of the Society in its first century (1540-1640), Russell transitioned to the applicants for entry in Chapter One, which highlighted the practicalities of abandoning one's previous life and ties to become a Jesuit.Grounds for rejection included mental instability and dubious morals.Practicalities though were a factor as well.For example, there are repeated references to the denials based on the financial and familial hardship that would result from the candidate's entry into the Society.Russell conveyed that the Jesuits had a thorough vetting process that considered more than the devotional mettle of a new charge.Membership did not guarantee a post in the missions outside of Europe, which required another round of petitions, including those to the superior general, that form the basis for Chapter Two.Russell demonstrated the process to determine a Jesuit's suitability for missionary work with ableness in languages and preaching being among the most invaluable skills.Chapter Three considered the candidates turned missionaries in Asia, where the majority of Italian Jesuits were sent.The treaties of Tordesillas (1494) and Zaragoza

Art history · Sociology · The Renaissance · Classics · Early Modern Women Writers · History