"Secret
Instructions
of
the
Society
of Jesus"
or
the
JESUIT
PRIESTS
Originally
circulated in Manuscript until 1612
when
it was published in Cracow, Poland.
Taken
From the Edition
Published
in 1882 in San Francisco, California.
Reprinted
from the copy in the
LIBRARY
OF CONGRESS
Washington,
D.C.
****
****
PREFACE
By
PERITUS
The Jesuits are different. Every Catholic Priest knows this.
The Jesuits have an uncanny manner financially. Operating behind the
scenes, they seem very inconspicuous, but when the wills of rich Catholics, and
very many non-Catholics, are filed for probate.
strangely some Jesuit institution is there for a sizable amount.
They are so different in their priestly deportment and social conduct
too, that other priests feel ill at ease and uncomfortable in their presence. A
priestly "blast" never really gets organized until after the Jesuits
have gone home. The prevailing atmosphere, when they are present, is one of
uneasy suspicion. Other priests feel as though the "Jebbies" will
immediately take off for the Bishop's mansion to stool on all of them. This of
course is ridiculous because most bishops are just as leery of the Jesuits as
are the working clergy.
Lay people also think that Jesuits are different. They speak of the
Society of Jesus as the "educated clergy,"-the "teaching arm of
the church". They have the "most schools"-which is true.
The quality of those schools is another question. None of them, at least
in the U.S. has ever won an award for the volume of scientists or philosophers
it produced. Voltaire went to a Jesuit school. He said later that he learned
Latin and nonsense.
The Jesuits write the most books-which is also true. In fact it is said
that any Jesuit who can pen one word after another seems forced "under
obedience" to write a book. Judging by a perusal of them, the subject
matter or the treatment seems of very little consequence.
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The laity are told that the Jesuits are smarter than other priests
because they go to school longer. The laity do not realize that for some years
those Jesuits are in their schools not as students, but as teachers-callow,
young, inexperienced boys carrying on the "great tradition" of Jesuit
education.
The laity, Catholic and non-Catholic, are also told that the Jesuits are
much more selective in their choice of candidates than other orders or diocesan
seminaries. They pick only the smarter and more promising youngsters and thus
insure a continuing crop of great scholars, teachers, philosophers, orators and,
not mentioned, ecclesiastical politicians.
The truth is, as clerical wags have put it, that the Jesuits have just as
large a percentage of lesser Esq.'s as any other church order but they are smart
enough to hide the numbskulls in their foreign missions to primitive countries.
In fact, it has also been said, that this is the principal reason why the
Jesuits have foreign missions.
However, in spite of these disparaging introductory qualifications, there
can be no gainsaying the fact that the Jesuits possess a hard core of extremely
intelligent, intensely loyal, politically shrewd, carefully calculating
individuals. This has been so since the days of their founder, Ignatius of
Loyola. A catalog of their names would include a large percentage of the great
minds of the Roman Catholic Church since the sixteenth century.
Any honest student of church history must admit that behind the scenes,
they have been the governing genius of the Vatican- even though, more often than
not, an evil genius.
The Jesuit Order is an absolute monarchy. Their general, "the Black
Pope" rules for life. The pattern of their own Order has molded their
thinking about all other political structures, including, but not confined to,
the Vatican.
The Jesuits fought the democratic aspirations of the French when they
helped engineer the "Massacre of St. Bartholomew's Eve".
They were the force behind Pope Pius IX and were his principal counselors. The Italian people knew that the Jesuits were the strongest
opponents of the Unification of Italy and hated them accordingly. The Jesuits
promoted the dogma of the Immaculate Conception and of the Infallibility of the
Pope. They wart, the experts behind the experts of the First Vatican Council in
1870 just as they are of the Second Vatican Council.
It is obvious that an organization so vast (the largest in the Roman
Church) covering the globe, and engaged in so many activities, some open and
honorable, and others secret, delicate and "Jesuitical" would have to
have a set of rules and regulations for its own internal control much more
detailed and stringent than the conventional "rules" or
"constitutions" of St. Benedict, St.
Francis or the other run-of-the-mill orders and congregations.
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Knowing also that the bulk of the Jesuits at the grass roots did not
possess the sagacity, shrewdness and ruthlessness of the "boys" in the
"back room" in Rome it was necessary that many enterprises, such as
"advising" rich widows, picking of rich men's sons to be prospective
Jesuits, or purging the Order of a hapless Jesuit who began to think for
himself, should be speeded out in detail.
But above all things it was necessary that such regulations should be
kept secret. They were to be confided only to trusted superiors and if
accidentally found. they were to be denounced as base forgeries.
They are called the "MONIKA SECRETA SOCIETATIS JESU"-"The
Secret Instructions of the Society of Jesus."
The average "lower-case" Jesuit, not being in on the know, will
sincerely tell indignant devout inquirers that these regulations are fictitious.
The smart "upper-case" Jesuit knows that he had better deny their
existence. He might not live to regret his indiscretion.
The existence of the "Secret Regulations of the Jesuits" has
been proven beyond all possibility of successful legal refutation.
Most unbiased historians of the Roman Catholic Church and of the Jesuits
acknowledge the existence of the "Monita".
The British historian, Andrew Steinmetz, in his monumental, precisely
documented, "History of the Jesuits", published in London in 1848,
devotes several pages to an analysis of the genuineness and history of the
"Monita". He outlines the book with the same succession of chapters
and content as reproduced in this present volume. He concludes that "secret
regulations" did exist, considering 1) overt statements of Jesuit Generals,
2) missing chapters in early editions of the official "Constitutions",
and 3) the actual conduct of the Jesuits, in so many countries and for so long.
As proof of the latter he cites the catering to the rich, the rapid acquisition
of tremendous power and wealth and the infiltration of the royal powers by the
Jesuits as court confessors, with their tolerance of licentiousness in order to
gain power. (Vol. III, p. 363, 364, 365, 366). Of the allegations themselves he
cites thousands of documented instances in the 1660 pages of his volumes.
The following paragraphs are from the autobiography of a very precise and
erudite ex-Jesuit. His death places him and his words beyond the customary
effective reprisals of the Order.
"The MONITA SECRETA SOCIETATIS JESU ('Secret Instruction of the
Society of Jesus') first appeared in print in Cracow in 1612, after they had
already been circulated in manuscript form. The editor seems to have been the
ex-Jesuit Zahorowski. Almost innumerable editions and reprints in all civilized
tongues followed one another. The latest edition was published at Bamberg in
1904."
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"The importance of the publication follows from the fact that,
directly after its appearance, the General of the Order, Mutius Vitelleschi,
twice (in 1616 and 1617) instructed the German Jesuit, Gretser, a prominent
theologian of the Order, to refute it, and that up to most recent times Jesuit
after Jesuit has come forward to repudiate it."
"It is natural that the Jesuits themselves should deny the
genuineness in a flood of refutations. But such denials only merit the belief or
unbelief which the denial of every defendant deserves. Only sound proof can turn
the scale against the genuineness of the Monita. And such proofs have not been
produced up to now by the Jesuits. Nor has any convincing invalidation of the
facts advanced on behalf of its genuineness been produced.
"The advocates of their genuineness rely essentially on the fact
that the manuscript copies of the Monita, upon which the printed edition is
based, were to be found in Jesuit colleges.
The discovery of such copies in the colleges of Prague, Paris, Roermond
(Holland), Munich, and Paderborn is beyond question.
The copy in the Jesuit house in Paderborn was found 'in a cupboard in the
Rector's room' (in scriniis rectoris). The manuscript copy at Munich, belonging
to the contents of the library of the Jesuit college of this place, which was
suppressed in 1773, was only found in 1870 in a secret recess behind the altar
of the old Jesuit Church of St. Michael at Munich. It would be a decisive token
of genuineness if it could be proved positively that the Prague copy was already
there in 1611 -- i.e. before the first printed edition in 1612. J. Friedrich's
statement makes this seem probable, but not certain. What the Jesuit Duhr writes
to the contrary is of no value. It is certain, however, that the discovery in
Prague was so disagreeable to the Jesuits that the chief champion of the
spuriousness of the MONITA, the Jesuit Forer, considered it advisable to pass it
over in silence in his work of repudiation, Anatomia Anatomiae Societatis Jesu.
On the other hand, he zealously demonstrated-what no one disputed- that the copy
at Paderborn was only brought to light after the first edition had been
published. Forer's silence is the more remarkable, as a manuscript note,
intended for his book, treats the Prague discovery as a fact. The saying that
those who keep silence when they could and should speak seem to give consent,
comes to my mind in the case of this ominous silence."
These quoted words were written by a German ex-Jesuit, Count Von
Hoensbroech, after he left the Jesuit priesthood in 1900*
"Fourteen
Years a Jesuit" Paul Von Hoensbroech, Cassel & Co. Ltd. London, New York 1911, Vol II p. 7-9
The
chapter headings are almost verbatim identical with the chapter headings of the
text reproduced in this booklet.
And
therein lies a story.
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The text of the "Secret Instructions of the Society of Jesus"
reproduced here was found beneath the pallet on an adobe bed in a cottage in the
Andes Mountains of Peru about a century ago.
Students of the Incas recall that prior to the expedition of the National
Geographic Magazine under Hiram Bingham, in 1911, archaeologists from European
countries probed the ruins of this people, one of the greatest civilizations in
history.
In 1870 a French archeologist slipped unobtrusively into the office of
the Secretary of the Scottish Rite of Freemasonry in San Francisco, California.
He
had been sent into the remote recesses of the Andes, where Pizarro and his army
had conquered the Incas more than three centuries before. He had rented a room
in a tiny village. This he used as a base of his operations. To this spot he
returned periodically to rest from the dangerously high altitudes and to write
his reports for shipment back to France.
While he was away, the family frequently rented the same room to
overnight guests. One of these happened to be a Jesuit official.
On his departure he forgot a little book which he had hidden under the
mattress. The French archeologist accidentally found it.
It was the "Secret Instructions of the Society of Jesus"- the
top classified manual of procedure for the trusted leaders of the Jesuit Order.
It
was in Latin and bore the seal, signature and attestation of the General and
Secretary of the Order in Rome.
For the next few days the Frenchman labored furiously translating the
work in stenographic notes into French. He then replaced the book and left.
The Jesuit returned in a few days inquiring nervously about his little
black packet. He also wanted to know if anyone had occupied the room since his
departure. On learning of the archeologist he began a search so relentless that
the Frenchman had to leave Peru. He finally reached San Francisco and entrusted
his precious but dangerous burden to Edwin A. Sherman 32 degree Mason, the
Secretary of the Scottish Rite of Freemasonry in California.
Mr. Sherman included the "Secret Instructions" in his book
"The Engineer Corps of Hell" published in 1882.
For
several years Edwin Sherman was the Masonic Historian of California. He was
highly esteemed for his great accuracy and dependability. This can be verified
now by anyone who will inquire about him of the Grand Secretary of the Grand
Lodge of Freemasonry at the Grand Lodge office in the Masonic Memorial Temple,
1111 California St., San Francisco, Calif.
Another point that emphasizes the credibility of this work is the identity of this copy, found in the fantastically inaccessible heights of the Andes in Peru, with the copy quoted by Count Von
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Secret
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Hoensbroech
in Germany, Considering that Von Hoensbroech's rendition was translated from the
German and Sherman's from Latin to French and then into English the similarity
is still striking.
Here are a few examples:
Sherman:
Ch. XI -- "How We Must Conduct Ourselves Unitedly Against
Those Who Have Been Expelled From the
Society."
Von
Hoensbroech: "What
Attitude Should Be Taken By Our Followers
In Regard to Those Dismissed From the Order?"
Sherman:
Ch. VI -- "OF the Mode of
Attracting Rich Widows."
Von
Hoensbroech: "How
May Rich Widows be Well Disposed Towards
the Society of Jesus?"
Sherman:
Ch. IV -- "OF That Which We
Must Charge the Preachers and
Confessors of the Great of the Earth."
Von
Hoensbroech: "What
Attitude Must be Taken up by
Court-Chaplains and Princely Confessors?"
The text that follows is one of the most effective documents ever
written. The tremendous wealth and power of the Jesuit Order is ample proof of
that contention.
Those who have observed the Jesuits from the vantage point of the secular
clergy or of another order have often wondered at their astounding success in
becoming the recipients of wealthy estates, of influencing prominent citizens,
Catholic and non-Catholic alike, into endorsing and endowing their colleges and
universities, of instilling their scholastics and other students with a spirit
of self-dedication and self immolation that would make both the Pope and Hitler
feel frustrated.
A careful study of the "Secret Instructions" will give the
answer. Here is a plan of financial, intellectual and military strategy that
should make the planners of West Point or Number 10 Downing Street feel
inferior.
Check, for example the following:
Ch.
II -- "THE MANNER WITH WHICH THE FATHERS OF THE SOCIETY MUST
CONDUCT THEMSELVES TO ACQUIRE AND PRESERVE THE
FAMILIARITY OF PRINCES, MAGNATES, AND POWERFUL AND RICH
PERSONS."
(Think
then how well the Jesuits have done with the local State Bar, the Chamber of
Commerce, national corporations, wealthy foundations, in comparison with the
failure of the local corner parish clergy. Think how well Georgetown, Fordham,
Marquette, and Creighton have done in comparison with the Dominicans, the
Sulpicians or the Franciscans!)
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Ch. VI-"OF THE MODE OF ATTRACTING RICH WIDOWS."
Just
read them and weep, brethren! Read especially this sentence p. 8 "Insist
upon the advantages of widowhood, and the inconvenience of marriage, in
particular that of a repeated one, and the dangers to which she will be exposed,
relatively to her particular businesses into which we are desirous of
penetrating."
Ch. XI-"HOW WE MUST CONDUCT OURSELVES UNITEDLY AGAINST THOSE WHO
HAVE BEEN EXPELLED FROM THE SOCIETY."
This is a portrait of the pattern of persecution and annihilation that
every ex-Jesuit, and in truth, every past ex-priest knows, and every future
dissident can expect.
Ch. XV-"HOW THE COMPANY MUST BE CONDUCTED WITH THE MONKS AND
NUNS."
(Meaning
other religious Orders-of course)
Ch. XVI-"HOW WE MUST MAKE PROFESSION OF DESPISING RICHES."
The gem of them all-really meaning "How we must pretend to despise riches."
What more vicious enemies could the bishops and diocesan
clergy have than those Jesuit Monitors who wrote: "We must inquire into and
note the defects of the other fathers and when we find them, we must divulge
them among our faithful friends as though condoling over them." (Ch. V. p.
17)
Read the Jesuits' opinion of other religious orders "calling
attention to the indolence and stupidity of the Monks as if they were
cattle." (Ch. XVII P. 41)
The Jesuits themselves should be concerned with the fact that history
does repeat itself. In Mexico, in Peru, in France, in Italy, in Germany, in
Spain, in Portugal, in Paraguay, in Colombia, in Brazil, in Argentina, in Chile,
in Austria and in very many other countries the Jesuits gained so much wealth,
in land, in buildings and in money, that others became jealous.
In every country the Jesuits were thrown out. Their property and wealth
was confiscated.
The Jesuits are now repeating their history in the United States of
America. Their landed wealth and holdings are fabulous.
What makes them think that history will not inexorably and inevitably
repeat itself again here in America?
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Secret
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SECRET
INSTRUCTIONS
OF
THE
SOCIETY
OF JESUS
PREFACE
These particular instructions must be guarded and kept
with careful attention by the superiors, communicated with prudent caution to a
few of the professors; in the meantime there does not exist any other thing so
good for the Society; but we are charged with the most profound silence, and to
make a false show, should they be written by any one though founded in the
experience we have had. As there are various professors who are in these
secrets, the Society has fixed the rule, that those who know these reserved
instructions that they cannot pass in any one religious Order, whether it be of
the Carthusians, to cause them to retire from that in which they live, and the
inviolable silence with which they are to be guarded, all of which has been
confirmed by the Holy See. Much
care must be taken that they do not get out; for these counsels in the hands of
strange persons to the Society, because they will give a sinister interpretation
invidious to our situation.
If (unless God does not permit) we reach success, we must
openly deny that the Society shelters such thoughts and to take care that it is
so affirmed by those of the Society that they are ignorant by not having been
communicated, which they can protest with truth, that they know nothing of such
instructions; and that there does not exist other than the general printed or
manuscripts, which they can present, to cause any doubt to vanish. The superiors
must with prudence and discretion, inquire if any of the Society have shown
these instructions to strangers; for neither for himself, or for another, they
must be copied by no one, without permission of the General or of the
Provincial; and when it is feared that anyone has given notice of these
instructions, we shall not be able to guard so rigorous a secret; and we must
assert to the contrary, all that is said in them, it will be so given to be
understood, that they only show to all, to be proved, and afterwards they will
be dismissed.
CHAPTER
1.
THE
MANNER OF PROCEDURE WITH WHICH THE SOCIETY
MUST
BE CONDUCTED WHEN CONSIDERING THE COMMENCING
OF
SOME FOUNDATION.
1.
To capture the will of the inhabitants of a country, it is very important
to manifest the intent of the Society, in the manner prescribed in the
regulations in which it is said, that the Society must labor with such ardor and
force for the salvation of their neighbor as for themselves. For the better
inducement of this idea, the most opportunely that we practice the most humble
offices, visiting the poor, the afflicted, and the imprisoned. It is very
convenient to confess with much promptness, and to hear the confessions, showing
indifference, without teasing the penitents; for this, the most notable
inhabitants will admire our fathers and esteem them; for the great charity they
have for all, and the novelty of the subject.
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2.
To have in mind that it is necessary to ask with religious modesty, the
means for exercising the duties of the Society, and that it is needful to
procure and acquire benevolence, principally of the secular ecclesiastics, and
of persons of authority, that may be conceived necessary.
3.
When called to go to the most distant places, where alms are to be
received, they are to be accepted, no matter how small they may be, after having
marked out the necessities of ourselves. Notwithstanding,
it will be very convenient at the moment to give those alms to the poor, for the
edification of those who do not have an exact understanding of the Society; and,
"but we must in advance be more liberal with ourselves."
4.
All must labor as if we were inspired by the same spirit; and each one
must study to acquire the same styles, with the object of uniformity among so
great a number of persons, edifying the whole; those who do the contrary must be
expelled as pernicious.
5.
In a beginning it is not convenient to purchase property; but in case
they can be found, some good sites may be bought, saying that they are to belong
to other persons, using the names of some faithful friends, who will guard the
secret. The better to make our poverty apparent, the property nearest our
college must belong to colleges the most distant, that we can prevent the
princes and magistrates from ever knowing that the income of the Society has a
fixed point.
6.
We must not ourselves go out to reside to form colleges, except to the
rich cities; for in this we must imitate Christ, who remained in Jerusalem; and
as he alone, passed by the less considerable populations.
7.
We must obtain and acquire of the widows all the money that we can,
presenting ourselves at repeated times to their sight our extreme necessity.
8.
The Superior over each province is the one to whom we must account with
certainty, the income of the same; but the amount to the treasurer at Rome, it
is, and must always be, an impenetrable mystery.
9.
It is for us to preach and say in all parts and in all conversations,
that we have come to teach the young and aid the people; and this without
interest in any single species and without exception of persons, and that we are
not so onerous to the people as other religious orders.
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CHAPTER
II.
THE
MANNER WITH WHICH THE FATHERS OF THE ORDER
MUST
CONDUCT THEMSELVES TO ACQUIRE AND PRESERVE
THE
FAMILIARITY OF PRINCES, MAGNATES AND POWERFUL
AND
RICH PERSONS.
1.
It is necessary to do all that is possible to gain completely the
attentions and affections of princes and persons of the most consideration; for
that, who, being on the outside, but in advance, all of them will be constituted
our defenders.
2.
As we have learned by experience that princes and potentates are
generally inclined to the favor of the ecclesiastics, when these disseminate
their odious actions, and when they give an interpretation that they favor, as
is to be noted among the married, contract with their relations or allies; or in
other similar things; assembling much with them, to animate those who may be
found in this case, saying to them that we confide in the assurance of the
exemptions, that by intervention of us fathers, which the Pope will concede, if
he is made to see the causes, and will present other examples of similar things,
exhibiting at the same time the sentiments that we favor, under the pretext of
the common good and THE GREATER GLORY OF GOD that is the object of the Society.
3.
If at this same assembly the prince treats of doing something, that will
not be agreeable to all the great men, for which we are to stir up and
investigate, meanwhile, counseling others to conform with the prince, without
ever descending to treat of particulars, for fear there may not be a successful
issue of the matter, for which the Society will be imputed blame; and for this,
if this action shall be disapproved, there will be advertences presented to the
contrary that may be absolutely prohibited and put in jeopardy, the authority of
some of the fathers, of whom it can be said with certainty, that they have not
had notice of the Secret Instructions; for that, it can be affirmed with an
oath, that the calumny to the Society, is not true in respect to that which is
imputed to it.
4.
To gain the good will of Princes, it will be very convenient to insinuate
with skill; and for third persons, that we fathers, are a means to discharge
honorable and favorable duties in the courts of other kings and princes, and
more than any one else in that of the Pope. By this means we can recommend
ourselves and the Society; for the same, no one must be charged with this
commission but the most zealous persons and well versed in our institute.
5.
Aiming especially to bring over the will of the favorites of princes and
of their servants, by means of presents and pious offices, that they may give
faithful notice to us fathers of the character and inclinations of the princes
and great men. Of this manner the Society can gain with facility as much to one
as to others.
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6.
The experience we have had, has made us acquainted with the many
advantages that have been taken by the Society of its intervention in the
marriages of the House of Austria, and of those which have been effected in
other kingdoms, France, Poland, and in various duchies. Forasmuch assembling,
proposing with prudence, selecting choice persons who may be friends and
families of the relatives, and of the friends of the Society.
7.
It will be easy to gain the princesses, making use of their valets; by
that, coming to feed and nourish with relations of friendship, by being located
at the entrance in all parts, and thus become acquainted with the most intimate
secrets of the familiars.
8.
In regard to the direction of the consciences of great men, we confessors
must follow the writers who concede the greater liberty of conscience. The
contrary of this is to appear too religious; for that they will decide to leave
others and submit entirely to our direction and counsels.
9. It is necessary to make reference to all the merits of the
Society; to the princes and prelates, and to as many as
can lend much aid to the Society, after having shown the transcendence of its
great privileges.
10.
Also, it will be useful to demonstrate, with prudence and skill, such
ample power which the Society has, to absolve, even in the reserved cases,
compared with that of other pastors and priests; also, that of dispensing with
the fasts, and of the rights which they must ask and pay, in the impediments of
marriage, by which means many persons will recur to us, whom it will be our duty
to make agreeable.
11.
It is not the less useful to invite them to our sermons, assemblies,
harangues, declamations, etc., composing odes in their honor, dedicating
literary works or conclusions; and if we can for the future, give dinners and
greetings of divers modes.
12.
It will be very convenient to take to our care the reconciliation of the
great, in the quarrels and enmities that divide them; then by this method we can
enter, little by little, into the acquaintance of their most intimate friends
and secrets; and we can serve ourselves to that party which will be most in
favor of that which we present.
13.
If there should be some one at the service of a monarch or prince, and he
were an enemy of our Society, it is necessary to procure well for ourselves
better than for others, making him a friend, employing promises, favors, and
advances, which shall be in proportion to the same monarch or prince.
14.
No one shall recommend to a prince any one, nor make advances to any who
have gone out from us, being outside of our Society, and in particular to those
who voluntarily verified, for yet when they dissimulate they will always
maintain an inextinguishable hatred to the Society.
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In fine, each one must procure and search for methods to
increase the affection and favor of princes, of the powerful, and of the
magistrates of each population, that whenever occasion is offered to support, we
can do much with efficacy and good faith, in benefiting ourselves, though
contrary to their relations, allies and friends.
CHAPTER
III.
HOW
THE SOCIETY MUST BE CONDUCTED WITH THE GREAT
AUTHORITIES
IN THE STATE, AND IN CASE THEY ARE NOT
RICH
WE MUST LEND OURSELVES TO OTHERS.
1.
The care consigned to us, that we must do all that is possible, for to
conquer the great; but it is also necessary to gain their favor to combat our
enemies.
2.
It is very conducive to value their authority, prudence and counsels, and
induce them to despise wealth, at the same time that we procure gain and employ
those that can redeem the Society; tacitly valuing their names, for acquisition
of temporal goods if they inspire sufficient confidence.
3.
It is also necessary to employ the ascendant of the powerful, to temper
the malevolence of the persons of a lower sphere and of the rabble against our
Society.
4.
It is necessary to utilize, whenever we can, the bishops, prelates and
other superior ecclesiastics, according to the diversity of reason, and the
inclination we manifest.
5.
In some points it will be sufficient to obtain of the prelates and
curates, that which it is possible to do, that their subjects respect the
society; and that obstructing the exercise of its functions among those who have
the greatest power, as in Germany, Poland, etc. It will be necessary to exhibit
the most distinguished attentions for that, mediating its authority and that of
the princes, monasteries, parishes, priorates, patronates, the foundations of
the churches and the pious places, can come to our power. Because we can with
more facility where the Catholics will be found mixed with heretics. It is
necessary to make such prelates see the utility and merit that we have in all
this, and that never will they have so much valuation from the priests, friars,
and for the future from the faithful. If making these changes, it is necessary
to publicly praise their zeal, although written, and to perpetuate the memory of
their actions.
6.
For this it is necessary to labor, to the end, that the prelates will
place in the hands of us fathers, as confessors and counselors; and if they
aspire to more elevated positions in the Court of Rome, we must unite in their
favor and aid their pretensions with all our forces, and by means of our
influence.
7.
We must be watchful that when the bishops are instituting principal
colleges and parochial churches, that the faculties are taken from the Society,
and placed in both vicarious establishments, with the charge of cures, and that
the Superior of
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the
Society to be, that all the government of these churches shall pertain to us,
and that the parishioners shall be our subjects, of the method that all can be
placed in them.
8.
Where there are those of the academies who have been driven out from us,
and are contrary; where the Catholics or the heretics obstruct our installation,
we will compound with the prelates, and make ourselves the owners of the first
cathedrals; for thus shall we make them to know the necessities of the Society.
9.
Over all, we must be very certain to procure the protection and affection
of the prelates of the Church, for the cases of beatification or canonization of
ourselves; in whose subjects convened further, to obtain letters from the
powerful and of the princes, that the decisions may be promptly attained in the
Catholic Court.
10.
If it shall be accounted that the prelates or magnates should send
commissioned representatives, we must put forth all ardor, that no other
priests, who are in dispute with us, shall be sent; for the reason, that they
shall not communicate their animadversion, discrediting us in the cities and
provinces we inhabit; and that if they pass by other provinces and cities, where
there are colleges, they will be received with affection and kindness, and be so
splendidly treated as a religious modesty will permit.
CHAPTER
IV.
OF
THAT WHICH WE MUST CHARGE THE PREACHERS
AND
CONFESSORS OF THE GREAT OF THE EARTH.
1.
Those of us who may be directed to the princes and illustrious men, of
the manner in which we must appear before them, with inclination unitedly
"to the greater glory of God," obtaining-with its austerity of
conscience, that the same princes are persuaded of it; for this direction we
must not travel in a principle to the exterior or political government, but
gradually and imperceptibly.
2.
Forasmuch there will be opportunity and conducive notices at repeated
times, that the distribution of honors and dignities in the Republic is an act
of justice; and that in a great manner it will be offending God, if the princes
do not examine themselves and cease carrying their passions, protesting to the
same with frequency and severity, that we do not desire to mix in the
administration of the State; but when it shall become necessary to so express
ourselves thus, to have your weight to fill the mission that is recommended.
Directly that the sovereigns are well convinced of this, it will be very
convenient to give an idea of the virtues that may be found to adorn those that
are selected for the dignities and principal public changes; procuring then and
recommending the true friends of the Society; notwithstanding, we must not make
it openly for ourselves, but by means of our friends who have intimacy with the
prince that it is not for us to talk him into the disposition of making them.
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3.
For this watchfulness our friends must instruct the confessors and
preachers of the Society near the persons capable of discharging any duty, that
over all, they must be generous to the Society; they must also keep their names,
that they may insinuate with skill, and upon opportune occasions to princes,
well for themselves or by means of others.
4.
The preachers and confessors will always present themselves so that they
must comport with the princes, lovable and affectionate, without ever shocking
them in sermons, nor in particular conversations, presenting that which rejects
all fear, and exhorting them in particular to faith, hope and justice.
5.
Never receive gifts made to any one in particular, but that for the
contrary; but picture the distress in which the Society or college may be found,
as all are alike; having to be satisfied with assigning each one a room in the
house, modestly furnished; and noticing that your garb is not over nice; and
assist with promptness to the aid and counsel of the most miserable persons of
the palace; but that you do not say it of them, but only those who have agreed
to serve the powerful.
6.
Whenever the death occurs of any one employed in the palace, we must take
care of speaking with anticipation, that they fail in the nomination of a
successor, in their affection for the Society; but giving no appearance to cause
suspicion that it was the intent of usurping the government of the prince; for
which, it must not be from us that it is said; take a part direct; but
assembling of faithful or influential friends who may be found in a position of
rousing the hate of one and another until they become inflamed.
CHAPTER
V.
OF
THE MODE OF CONDUCTING THE SOCIETY WITH RESPECT TO OTHER ECCLESIASTICS WHO HAVE
THE SAME DUTIES AS OURSELVES IN THE CHURCH.
1.
It is necessary to help with valor these persons, and manifest in their
due time to the princes and lords that are always ours, and being constituted in
power, that our Society contains essentially the perfection of all the other
orders, with the exception of singing and manifesting an exterior of austerity
in the mode of life and in dress; and that if in some points they excel the
communities of the Society, this shines with greater splendor in the Church of
God.
2.
We must inquire into and note the defects of the other fathers
(non-Jesuit priests), and when we find them, we must divulge them among our
faithful friends, as condoling over them; we must show that such fathers do not
discharge with certainty, that we do ourselves the functions, that some and
others recommend.
3.
It is necessary that the fathers of our Society oppose with all their
power the other fathers who intend to found houses of education to instruct the
youths among the populations where ours are found teaching with acceptation and
approval; and it will be
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very
convenient to indicate our projects to princes and magistrates, that such people
will excite disturbances and commotions if they are not prohibited from
teaching; and that in the last result, the damage will fall upon the educated,
by being instructed by a bad method, without any necessity; posting them that
the Society is sufficient to teach the youth. In case the fathers bear letters
of the Pontificate, or recommendations from the Cardinals, we must work in
opposition to them, making the princes and great men to point out to the Pope
the merits of the Society and its intelligence for the pacific instruction of
the youths, to which end, we must have and obtain certifications of the
authorities upon our good conduct and sufficiency.
4.
Having notwithstanding to form duties, our fathers in displaying singular
proofs of our virtue and erudition, making them to exercise the alumni
(graduates) in their studies in methods of functions, scholars of diversion,
capable of drawing applause, making for supposition, these representations in
the presence of the great magistrates and concurrence of other classes.
CHAPTER
VI.
OF THE MODE OF
ATTRACTING RICH WIDOWS.
1.
We must elect effective fathers already advanced in years, of lively
complexion and conversation, agreeable to visit these ladies, and whence they
can promptly note in them appreciation or affection for our Society; making
offerings of good works and the merits of the same; that, if they accept them,
and succeed in having them frequent our temples, we must assign to them a
confessor, who will be able of guiding them in the ways that are proper, in the
state of widowhood, making the enumeration and praises of satisfaction that
should accompany such a state; making them believe and yet with certainty that
they who serve as such, is a merit for etemal life, being efficacious to relieve
them from the pains of purgatory.
2.
The same confessor will propose to them to make and adorn a little chapel
or oratory in their own house, to confirm their religious exercises, because by
this method we can shorten the communication, more easily hindering those who
visit others; although if they have a particular chaplain, and will content to
go to him to celebrate the mass, making opportune advertencies to her who
confesses, to the effect and treating her as being left to be overpowered by
said Chaplain.
3.
We must endeavor skillfully but gently to cause them to change
respectively to the Order and to the method of the House, and to conform as the
circumstances of the person will permit, to whom they are directed, their
propensities, their piety, and yet to the place and situation of the
edifice.
4.
We must not omit to have removed, little by little, the servants of the
house that are not of the same mind with ourselves, proposing that they be
replaced by those persons who are dependent on us, or who desire to be of the
Society; for by this method we can be placed in the channel of communication of
whatever passes in the family.
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5.
The constant watch of the confessor will have to be, that the widow shall
be disposed to depend on him totally, representing that her advances in grace
are necessarily bound to this submission.
6.
We are to induce her to the frequency of the sacraments, and especially
that of penitence, making her to give account of her deeper thoughts and
intentions; inviting her to listen to her confessor, when he is to preach
particular promising orations; recommending equally the recitation each day of
the litanies and the examination of conscience.
7.
It will be very necessary in the case of a general confession, to enter
extensively into all of her inclinations; for that it will be to determine her,
although she may be found in the hands of others.
8.
Insist upon the advantages of widowhood, and the inconvenience of
marriage; in particular that of a repeated one, and the dangers to which she
will be exposed, relatively to her particular businesses into which we are
desirous of penetrating.
9.
We must cause her to talk of men whom she dislikes, and to see if she
takes notice of anyone who is agreeable, and represent to her that he is a man
of bad life; procuring by these means disgust of one and another, and repugnant
to unite with anyone.
10.
When the confessor has become convinced that she has decided to follow
the life of widowhood, he must then proceed to counsel her to dedicate herself
to a spiritual life, but not to a monastic one, whose lack of accommodations
will show how they live; in a word, we must proceed to speak of the spiritual
life of Pauline and of Eustace, &c. The confessor will conduct her at last,
that having devoted the widow to chastity, to not less than for two or three
years, she will then be made to renounce a second nuptial forever. In this case she
will be found to have discarded all sorts of relations with men, and even the
diversions between her relatives and acquaintances, we must protest that she
must unite more closely to God. With regard to the ecclesiastics who visit her,
or to whom she goes out to visit, when we cannot keep her separate and apart
from all others, we must labor that those with whom she treats shall be
recommended by ourselves or by those who are devoted to us.
11.
In this state, we must inspire her to give alms, under the direction, as
she will suppose, or her spiritual father; then it is of great importance that
they shall be employed with utility; more, being careful that there shall be
discretion in counsel, causing her to see that inconsiderate alms are the
frequent causes of many sins, or serve to torment at last, that they are not the
fruit, nor the merit which produced them.
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CHAPTER
VII.
SYSTEM WHICH
MUST BE EMPLOYED WITH WIDOWS
AND METHODS OF
DISPOSING OF THEIR PROPERTY.
1.
It will be necessary to inspire her to continue to persevere in her
devotion and the exercise of good works and of disposition, in not permitting a
week to pass, to give away some part of her over plus, in honor of Jesus Christ,
of the Holy Virgin and of the Saint she has chosen for her patron; giving this
to the poor of the Society or for the ornamenting of its churches, until she has
absolutely disposed of the first fruits of her property as in other times did
the Egyptians.
2.
When the widows, the more generally to practice their alms, must be given
to know with perseverance, their liberality in favor of the Society; and they
are to be assured that they are participants in all the merits of the same, and
of the particular indulgences of the Provincial; and if they are persons of much
consideration, of the General of the Order.
3.
The widows who having made vows of chastity, it will be necessary for
them to renew them twice per annum, conforming to the custom that we have
established; but permitting them notwithstanding, that day some honest freedom
from restraint by our fathers.
4.
They must be frequently visited, treating them agreeably; referring them
to spirited and diverting histories, conformable to the character and
inclination of each one.
5.
But that they may not abate, we must not use too much rigor with them in
the confessional; that it may not be, that they by having empowered others of
their benevolence, that we do not lose confidence of recovering their adhesion,
having to proceed in all cases with great skill and caution, being aware of the
inconstancy natural to woman.
6.
It is necessary to have them do away with the habit of frequenting other
churches, in particular those of convents; for which it is necessary to often
remind them, that in our Order there are possessed many indulgences that are to
be obtained only partially by all the other religious corporations.
7.
To those who may be found in the case of the garb of mourning, they will
be counseled to dress a little more agreeable, that they may at the same time,
unite the aspect of mourning with that of adornment, to draw them away from the
idea of being found directed by a man who has become a stranger to the world.
Also with such, that they may not be very much endangered, or particularly
exposed to volubility, we can concede to them, as if they maintained their
consequence and liberality, for and with the society, that which drives
ensuality away from them, being with moderation and without scandal.
8.
We must manage that in the houses of the widows there shall be honorable
young ladies, of rich and noble families; that little by little they become
accustomed to our direction and mode of life;
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and that they
are given a director elected and established by the confessor of the family, to
be permanently and always subject to all the reprehensions and habits of the
Society; and if any do not wish to submit to all, they must be sent to the
houses of their fathers, or to those from which they were brought, accusing them
directly of extravagance and of glaring and stained character.
9.
The care of the health of the widows, and to proportion some amusement,
it is not the least important that we should care for their salvation; and so,
if they complain of some indisposition, we must prohibit the fast, the hair
cloth girdle, and the discipline, without permitting them to go to church;
further continue the direction, cautiously and secretly with such, that they may
be examined in their houses; if they are given admission into the garden, and
edifice of the college, with secrecy; and if they consent to converse and
secretly entertain with those that they prefer.
10.
To the end that we may obtain, that the widows employ their utmost
obsequiousness to the Society, it is the duty to represent to them the
perfection of the life of the holy, who have renounced the world, estranged
themselves from their relations, and despising their fortunes, consecrating
themselves to the service of the Supreme Being with entire resignation and
content. It will be necessary to produce the same effect, that those who turn
away to the Constitutions of the Society, and their relative examination to the
abandonment of all things. We must cite examples of the widows who have reached
holiness in a very short time; giving hopes of their being canonized, if their
perseverance does not decay; and promising for their cases our influence with
the Holy Father.
11.
We must impress in their souls the persuasion that, if they desire to
enjoy complete tranquility of conscience it will be necessary for them to follow
without repugnance, without murmuring, nor tiring, the direction of the
confessor, so in the spiritual, as in the eternal, that she may be found
destined to the same God, by their guidance.
12.
Also we must direct with opportunity, that the Lord does not desire that
they should give alms, nor yet to fathers of an exemplary life, known and
approved, without consulting beforehand with their confessor, and regulating the
dictation of the same.
13.
The confessors must take the greatest care, that the widows and their
daughters of the confessional, do not go to see other fathers (i.e. non-Jesuit
priests) under any pretext, nor with them. For this, we must praise our Society
as the Order most illustrious of them all; of greater utility in the Church, and
of greater authority with the Pope and with the princes; perfection in itself;
then dismiss the dream of them, and menace them, that we can, and that we are no
correspondents to them, we can say, that we do not consent to froth and do as
among other monks who count in their convents many ignorant, stupid loungers who
are indolent in regard to the other life, and intriguers in that to disorder,
&c.
14.
The confessors must propose and persuade the widows to assign ordinary
pensions and other annual quotas to the colleges and houses of profession for
their sustenance with especially to
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the professed
house at Rome; and not forgetting to remind them of the restoration of the
ornaments of the temples and replenishing of the wax, the wine, and other
necessaries for the celebration of the mass.
15.
If they do not make relinquishment of their property to the Society, it
will be made manifest to them, on apparent occasion in particular, when they are
found to be sick, or in danger of death; that there are many colleges to be
founded; and that they may be excited with sweetness and disinterestedness, to
make some disbursements as merit for God, and in that they can found his eternal
glory.
16.
In the same manner, we must proceed with regard to princes and other well
doers, making them to see that such foundations will be made to perpetuate their
memory in this world, and gain eternal happiness, and if some malevolent persons
adduce the example of Jesus Christ, saying, that then he had no place to recline
his head, the Society bearing his name should be poor in imitation of himself,
we must make it known and imprint it in the imagination of those, and of all the
world, that the Church has varied, and that in this day we have become a State;
and we must show authority and grand measures against its enemies that are very
powerful, or like that little stone prognosticated by the prophet, that,
divided, came to be a great mountain. Inculcate constantly to the widows who
dedicate their alms and ornaments to the temples, that the greater perfection is
in disposing of the affection and earthly things, ceding their possession to
Jesus Christ and his companions.
17.
Being very little, that which we must promise to the widows, who dedicate
and educate their children for the world, we must apply some remedy to it.
CHAPTER
VIII.
METHODS BY
WHICH THE CHILDREN OF RICH WIDOWS
MAY BE CAUSED
TO EMBRACE THE RELIGIOUS STATE,
OR OF
DEVOTION.
1.
To secure our object, we must create the custom, that the mothers treat
them severely, and show to them, that we are in love with them. Coming to induce
the mothers to do away with their tastes, from the most tender age, and
regarding, restraining, &c., &c., the children especially; prohibiting
decorations and adornments when they enter upon competent age; that they are
inspired in the vocation for the cloister, promising them an endowment of
consideration, if they embrace a similar state; representing to them the
insipidity that is brought with matrimony, and the disgust that has been
experienced in it; signifying to them the weight they would sit under, for not
having maintained in the celibate. Lastly, coming to direct in the conclusions
arrived at by the daughters of the widows, so fastidious of living with their
mothers, that their feet will be directed to enter into a convent.
2.
We must make ourselves intimate with the sons of the widows, and if for
them an object or the Society, and cause them to penetrate the intent of our
colleges, making them to see things that can call
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their
attention by whatever mode, such as gardens, vineyards, country houses, and the
farm houses where the masters go to recreate; talk to them of the voyages the
Jesuits have made to different countries, of their treating with princes, and of
much that can capture the young; cause them to note the cleanliness of the
refectory, the commodiousness of the lodges, the agreeable conversation we have
among ourselves, the suavity of our rule, and that we have all for the object of
the greater glory of God; show to them the preeminence of our Order over all the
others, taking care that the conversations we have shall be diverting to pass to
that of piety.
3.
At proposing to them the religious state, have care of doing so, as if by
revelation; and in general, insinuating directly with sagacity, the advantage
and sweetness of our institute above all others; and in conversation cause them
to understand the great sin that will be committed against the vocation of the
Most High; in fine, induce them to make some spiritual exercises that they may
be enlightened to the choice of this state.
4.
We must do all that is possible that the masters and professors of the
youth indicated shall be of the Society, to the end, of being always vigilant
over these, and counsel them; but if they cannot be reduced, we must cause them
to be deprived of some things, causing that their mothers shall manifest their
censure and authority of the house, that they may be tired of that sort of life;
and if, finally, we cannot obtain their will to enter the Society, we must
labor; because we can remand them to other colleges of ours that are at a
distance, that they may study, procuring impediment, that their mothers show
endearment and affection, at the same time, continuing for our part, in drawing
them to us by suavity of methods.
CHAPTER
IX.
UPON THE
AUGMENTING OF REVENUE IN THE COLLEGES.
1.
We must do all that is possible, because we do not know if bound with the
last vow of him, who is the claimant of an inheritance, meanwhile we do not know
if it is confirmed, to not be had in the Society a younger brother, or of some
other reason of much entity. Before all, that which we must procure, are the
augmentations of the Society with rules to the ends agreed upon by the
superiors, which must be conformable: for that the Church returns to its
primitive splendor for the greater glory of God; of fate that all the clergy
shall be found animated by a united spirit. To this end, we must publish by all
methods, that the Society is composed in part of professors so poor, that are
wanting of the most indispensable, to not be for the beneficence of the
faithful; and that another part is of fathers also poor, although living upon
the product of some household property; but not to be grievous to the public, in
the midst of their studies, their ministry, as are other ordinary mendicants.
The spiritual directors of princes, great men, accommodating widows, and of whom
we have abundant hope, that they will be disposed at last to make gifts to the
Society in exchange for spiritual and eternal things, that will be proportioned,
the lands and temporalities which they possess; for the same, carrying always
the idea, that we are not to lose the
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occasion of
receiving always as much as may be offered. If promises and the fulfillment of
them is retarded, they are to be remembered with precaution, dissimulating as
much as we can the coveting of riches. When some confessor of personages or
other people, will not be apt, or wants subtility, that in these subjects is
indispensable, he will be retired with opportunity, although others may be
placed anticipated; and if it be entirely necessary to the penitents, it will
be made necessary to take out the destitute to distant colleges, representing
that the Society has need for them there; because it being known that some young
widows, having unexpectedly failed, the Society not having the legacy of very
precious movables, having been careless by not accepting in due time. But to
receive these things, we could not attend at the time, and only at the good will
of the penitent.
2.
To attract the prelates, canonicals and other rich ecclesiastics, it is
necessary to employ certain arts, and in place procuring them to practice in our
houses spiritual exercises, and gradually and energetically of the affection
that we profess to divine things; so that they will be affectionate towards the
Society and that they will soon offer pledges of their adhesion.
3.
The confessors must not forget to ask with the greatest caution and on
adequate occasions of those who confess, what are their names, families,
relatives, friends, and properties, informing their successors who follow them,
the state, intention in which they will be found, and the resolution which they
have taken; that which they have not yet determined obtaining, having to form a
plan for the future to the Society. When it is founded, whence directly there
are hopes of utility; for it will not be convenient to ask all at once; they
will be counseled to make their confession each week, to disembarrass the
conscience much before, or to the title of penitence. They will be caused to
inform the confessor with repetition, of that which at one time they have not
given sufficient light; and if they have been successful by this means, she will
come, being a woman, to make confession with frequency, and visit our church;
and being a man, he will be invited to our houses and we are to make him
familiar with ourselves.
4.
That which is said in regard to widows, must have equal application to
the merchants and neighbors of all classes, as being rich and married, but
without children, of that plan by which the Society can arrive to be their
heirs, if we put in play the measures that we may indicate; but over all, it
will be well to have present, as said, near the rich devotees that treat with
us, and of whom the vulgar can murmur, when more, if they are of a class not
very elevated.
5.
Procuring for the rectors of the colleges entrance for all the ways of
the houses, parks, groves, forests, lawns, arable lands, vineyards, olive
orchards, hunting grounds, and whatever species of inheritances which they meet
with in the end of their rectory; if their owners pertain to the nobility, to
the clergy, or are negotiators, particulars, or religious communities, inquiring
the revenues of each one, their loads and what they pay for them. All these
dates or notices they are to seek for with great skill and to a fixed
point, energetically yet from the confessional, then
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of the
relations of friendship; or of the accidental conversations; and the confessor
meets with a penitent of possible, he will be placed in knowledge of the
rector, obtaining by all methods the one conserved.
6.
The essential point to build upon, is the following: that we must so
manage, that in the ends we gain the will and affections of our penitents, and
other persons with whom we treat, accommodating ourselves to their inclinations
if they are conducive. The Provincials will take care to direct some of us to
points, in which reside the nobility and the powerful; and if the Provincials do
not act with opportunity, the rectors must notice with anticipation, the crops
(the field of operations) that are there, which we go to examine.
7.
When we receive the sons of strong houses in the Society, they must show
whether they will be easy to acquire the contracts and titles of possession; and
if so they were to enter of themselves, of which they may be caused to cede some
of their property to the college, or the usufruct (profit) or for rent, or in
other form, or if they can come for a time into the Society, the gain of which
may be very much of an object, to give a special understanding to the great and
powerful, the narrowness in which we live, and the debts that are pressing
us.
8.
When the widows, or our married devoted women, do not have more than
daughters, we must persuade them to the same life of devotion, or to that of the
cloister; but that except the endowment that they may give, they can enter their
property in the Society gently; but when they have husbands, those that would
object to the Society, they will be catechized; and others who desire to enter
as religiousness in other Orders, with the promise of some reduced amount. When
there may be an only son, he must be attracted at all cost, inculcating the
vocation as made by Jesus Christ; causing him to be entirely disembarrassed from
the fear of its fathers, and persuading him to make a sacrifice very acceptable
to the Almighty, that he must withdraw to His authority, abandon the paternal
house and enter in the Society; the which, if he so succeeds, after having given
part to the General, he will be sent to a distant novitiate; but if they have
daughters, they will primarily dispose the daughters for a religious life; and
they will be caused to enter into some monastery, and afterwards be received as
daughters in the Society, with the succession of its properties.
9.
The Superiors will place in the channel of the circumstances, the
confessors of these widows and married people, that they on all future occasions
may act for the benefit of the Society; and when by means of one, they cannot
take our part he will be replaced with another; and if it is made necessary, he
will be sent to great distances, of a manner that he cannot follow
understandingly with these families.
10.
If we succeed in convincing the widows and devoted persons, who aspire
with fervor to a perfect life, and that the better means to obtain it is by
ceding all their properties to the Society, supporting by their revenues, that
they will be religiously administered until their death, conforming to the
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degree of
necessity in which they may be found, and the just reason that may be employed
for their persuasion is, that by this mode, they can be exclusively dedicated to
God; without attentions and molestations, which would perplex them, and that it
is the only road to reach the highest degree of perfection.
11.
The Superiors craving the confidence of the rich, who are attached to the
Society, delivering receipts of its proper hand writing whose payment afterwards
will differ; not forgetting to often visit those who loan, to exhort them above
all in their infirmities of consideration, as to whom will devolve the papers of
the debt; because it is not so to be found mention of the Society in their
testament; and by this course we must acquire properties, without giving cause
for us to be hated by the heirs.
12.
We must also in a grand manner ask for a loan, with payment of annual
interest, and employ the same capital in other speculation to produce greater
revenues to the Society; for at such a time, succeeding to move them with
compassion to that which they will lend to us, we will not lose the interest in
the testament of donation, when they see that they found colleges and
churches.
13.
The Society can report the utilities of commerce, and value the name of
the merchant of credit, whose friendship we may possess.
14.
Among the peoples where our fathers reside, we must have physicians
faithful to the Society, whom we can especially recommend to the sick, and to
paint under an aspect very superior to that of other religious orders, and
secure direction that we shall be called to assist the powerful, particularly in
the hour of death.
15.
That the confessors shall visit with assiduity the sick, particularly
those who are in danger, and to honestly eliminate the other fathers, which the
superiors will procure, when the confessor sees that he is obliged to remove the
other from the suffering, to replace and maintain the sick in his good
intentions. Meanwhile we must inculcate as much as we can with prudence, the
fear of hell, &c., &c., or when, the lesser ones of purgatory;
demonstrating that as water will put out fire, so will the same alms blot out
the sin; and that we cannot employ the alms better, than in the maintaining and
subsidizing of the persons, who, by their vocation, have made profession of
caring for the salvation of their neighbor; that in this manner the sick can be
made to participate in their merits, and find satisfaction for their own sins;
placing before them that charity covereth a multitude of sins; and that also, we
can describe that charity, is as a nuptial vestment, without which, no one can
be admitted to the heavenly table. in fine it will be necessary to move them to
the citations of the scriptures, and of the holy fathers, that according to the
capacity of the sick, we can judge what is most efficacious to move them.
16.
We must teach the women, that they must complain of the vices of their
husbands, and the disturbances which they occasion, that they can rob them in
secret of some amounts of money, to offer to God, in expiation of the sins of
their husbands, and to obtain their pardon.
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CHAPTER X.
OF THE
PARTICULAR RIGOR OF DISCIPLINE
IN THE
SOCIETY.
1.
If there shall be anyone dismissed under any protest, as an enemy of the
Society, whatever may be his condition, or age; all those who have been moved to
become the devotees of our churches; or of visiting ourselves; or who having
been made to take the alms on the way to other churches; or who having been
found to give to other fathers; or who having dissuaded any rich man, and well
intentioned towards our Society, or giving anything; or in the time in which he
can dispose of his properties, having shown great affection for his relations
with this Society; because it is a great proof of a mortified disposition; and
we conclude that the professions are entirely mortified; or also, that he having
scattered all the alms of the penitents, or of the friends of the Society, in
favor of his poor relations. Furthermore, that he may not complain afterwards of
the cause of his expulsion, it will be necessary to thrust him from us directly;
but we can prohibit him from hearing confessions, which will mortify him, and
vex him by imposing upon him most vile offices, obliging him each day to do
things that are the most repugnant; he will be removed from the highest studies
and honorable employments; he will be reprimanded in the chapters by public
censures; he will be excluded from the recreations and prohibited from all
conversation with strangers; he will be deprived of his vestments and the uses
of other things when they are not indispensable, until he begins to murmur and
becomes impatient; then he can be expelled as a shameful person, to give a bad
example to others; and if it is necessary to give account to his relatives, or
to the prelates of the Church, of the reason for which he has been thrust out,
it will be sufficient to say that he does not possess the spirit of the
Society.
2.
Furthermore, having also expelled all those who may have scrupled to
acquire properties for the Society, we must direct, that they are too much
addicted to their own judgment. If we desire to give reason of their conduct to
the Provincials, it is necessary not to give them a hearing; but call for the
rule, that they are obligated to a blind obedience.
3.
It will be necessary to note, whence the beginning and whence their
youth, those who have great affection for the Society; and those which we
recognize their affection until the furthest orders, or until their relatives,
or until the poor shall be necessarily disposed, little by little, as carefully
said, to go out; then they are useless.
CHAPTER
XI.
HOW WE MUST
CONDUCT OURSELVES
UNITEDLY
AGAINST THOSE
WHO HAVE BEEN
EXPELLED FROM THE SOCIETY.
1.
As those whom we have expelled, when knowing little or something of the
secrets, the most times are noxious to the Society for the same, it shall be
necessary to obviate their efforts by the following method, before thrusting
them out; it will be necessary
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