Jesuits : a multibiography

A tour de force narrative history that provides readers with detailed and engrossing biographies of several notable Jesuits. French journalist Lacouture (De Gaulle, 1992, etc.) has crafted an original approach to Jesuit history here. Instead of following a traditional, chronological history of the Society of Jesus, he has chosen to provide a ""multibiography"" that emphasizes the contributions of a few innovators, including the movement's founder, St. Ignatius of Loyola. Lacouture has been quixotic in his sampling, choosing occasionally to highlight some obscure, understudied Jesuit in lieu of a more celebrated priest. But despite the eclectic nature of his foci, Lacouture proves he is no dilettante. The result is a nearly perfect blend of stories from various cultures, and the author, a gifted raconteur, is always passionate about his subject matter. He challenges the widely held stereotype that the Society was driven solely by blind obedience to Rome and instead explores the Jesuits' evolving commitments to syncretism and cultural exchange. As the Society founded missions in diverse cultures, Lacouture maintains, it abandoned much of its absolutism in favor of a Christianity that would adapt to its surroundings and ""be all things to all men."" Lacouture traces the development of Jesuit missions in regions as far-flung as Japan, India, and Paraguay and demonstrates a surprisingly profound knowledge of non-European histories. He also reveals some of the ""forgotten"" history of the Jesuit movement, such as the short-lived attempt to establish a sister order in the 16th century. Lacouture's historical reconstructions are greatly enhanced by his prolific use of diaries, memoirs, and letters. That the book is so well-written is pleasantly surprising, since it has been translated and abridged from the bestselling two-volume French edition. Beautifully told, with an occasional dose of sardonic humor, Lacouture's well-crafted ""multibiography"" is destined to become a classic of Jesuit studies. In this magisterial account, Jean Lacouture portrays the sweep of five hundred years of world history, from the dungeons of the Vatican to the jungles of South America to the royal courts of Europe and Asia. Jesuits: A Multibiography is history with a human face, the fascinating tales of men of the spirit who participated in the actions and passions of the modern world, a "world bursting its seams.". "Be all things to all men," said the founder of the Jesuits, Ignatius of Loyola, to his followers. "Go and set the world ablaze!" The often picaresque story takes us to the Paris of Rabelais, where Ignatius, with a handful of his fellow students, formed what would become the Society of Jesus. We follow Francis Xavier to Japan and Matteo Ricci to China. We watch as the Society grows into Christendom's most powerful order, and as the "Black Legend" of a calculating, Machiavellian Jesuitry leads to its abolition in 1773 (it was restored forty years later). We see the great characters of history and culture - Pascal, Voltaire, Frederick the Great, Catherine the Great - play their parts. . One of Jean Lacouture's most poignant portraits is of the twentieth century's most famous and beloved Jesuit, Pierre Teilhard de Chardin, a scientist-priest whose humanistic conclusions put him at odds with the Church. Lacouture's wide-ranging narrative illuminates Pope John XXIII's reforms and the Jesuit-inspired liberation theology movements in Central and South America. With the papacy of John Paul II, a riveting drama unfolds as the Jesuits are brought under new constraints. A History Of The People That Made Up The Jesuits, From Ignatius Of Loyola To Pierre Teilhard De Chardin, And The Role The Order Played In History. The Vagabond And The Inquisitor -- The Scholars From Montmartre -- Perinde Ac Cadaver -- Francis Xavier, Orientalist -- No Women Need Apply -- The Jews And The Jesuits -- Li Mateou, The Clock, And The Master Of Heaven -- Utopia And The Guaraní Republic -- Expelled Like Dogs -- Wandering In The Desert -- The Second Company -- The Black Legend -- Incidents At Vichy -- Obedience And Teilhard -- The Exorcist And The Vatican -- Justice And Pedro Arrupe -- The Third Company? Jean Lacouture ; Tranlated From The French By Jeremy Leggatt. A Cornelia And Michael Bessie Book. Includes Bibliographical References (p. 523-529) And Index. Contents Preface I. The Vagabond and the Inquisitor II. The Scholars from Montmartre III. “Perinde ac Cadaver” IV. Francis Xavier, Orientalist V. No Women Need Apply VI. The Jews and the Jesuits VII. Li Mateou, the Clock, and the Master of Heaven VIII. Utopia and the Guarani Republic IX. “Expelled Like Dogs” X. Wandering in the Desert XI. The Second Company XII. The Black Legend XIII. Incidents at Vichy XIV. Obedience and Teilhard XV. The Exorcist and the Vatican XVI. Justice and Pedro Arrupe XVII. The Third Company? Chronology Notes Elements of a Bibliography Index