Ignatius Loyola and the Catholic Reformation

I.Saint Ignatius Loyola (1491 - 1556)
     A.Loyola was soldier in his early life
          1.wounded at seige of Pamplona, 1521
          2.more than a year in convelescence, conversion, prayer
     B.1523, Pilgrimage to Jerusalem
     C.1524-34, studies scripture, the faith, philosophy at the
          Universities of Barcelona, Alcala, Salamanca, Paris
     D.1534-37, active as a lay spiritual counselor
          1.That makes him religously suspect
          2.So he is ordained as a priest
     E.1537, organizes first religious community
          1.he and six other priests (inclluding Francis Xavier)
          take vows to serve the faith
               a.perhaps by preaching to the Muslims
               b.or in others ways the Pope may direct or assign
          2.they take vows to perform works of charity
          3.they take vows to educate the young
II.Early Jesuit History
     A.1540, Pope Paul III approves this "Society of Jesus"
          1.Jesuits under direct authority of the Pope
               a.Not subject to local bishops, abbots, nobles
               b.This guarantees them self-government
               c.This guarantees them freedom of action
               d.This renders them incorruptable
          2.Ignatius as first General, until his death in 1556
     B.1540-56, Ignatius remains in Rome
          1.directing Jesuis missions, writing
          2.Spiritual Exercises - spiritual development through
          study, austerity, obedience, service
          3.Society of Jesus (Jesuits) becomes a tightly organized
          effort to minister to Christendom and beyond
III.Jesuit Schools
     A.Established wherever Jesuits worked
     B.Modern, progressive education 
          1.cutting edge science, geography, etc.
     C.Emphasis on otehodox religious education
          1.enables students to learn the truth faith
          2.enables students to resist heresy & scism
IV.Jesuit Missions Worldwide
     A.Saint Francis Xavier (1506-51) leads mesions to Japan, Goa
     B.Other missions to China, Ethiopia, India, Congo, South
     America, Canada, even the Saginaw Valley, just east of Midland
     C.These missions evangelized by preaching & example
     D.These missions resisted excesses of Portuguese & Spanish
     merchants and conquistadores
V.Reductions in the New World
     A.Jesuits organize self-governing enclaves of Indians
     B.Aggressively protected against Portuguese & Spanish
     governors and conquistadores
          1.local government - Indian culture preserved
          2.organized military to resist outside oppression
          3.governors & conquistadores covet these landsVI.Other Jesuit Activities
     A.Hostels & Refuges
          1.for converts, where local government is hostile
          2.safe-houses for "fallen women"
     B.Confessors
          1.As trustworthy beyond question, and as not beholden to
          local bishops or nobility, Jesuits are very desirable as
          confessors - monarchs & nobles & churchmen can confess to
          them without fear
          2.This makes the Jesuits useful and influential as
          personal advisors as well as spiritual advisors - they
          rise in presige and influence, yet remain incorruptible
VII.The Countil of Trent (1545-1563)
     A.By 1530's there is widespread desire for a universal free
     Christian council to resolve major issues
          1.Charles V of HRE supports this, hoping for
          reconciliation & healing in the HRE
          2.Francis I of France opposes this, lest is strengthen
          the HRE
     B.First Session, 1545-49
          1.Protestants invited, some participate, some refuse
     C.Second Session, 1551-1552
          1.German protestants attend & participate
          2.political maniulation by Elector of Saxony ends session
     D.Third Session, 1562-1563
          1.Protestants invited, few attend
     E.Successes of the Council of Trent
          1.Reassertion of clerical discipline
               a.learning - clergy trained in seminaries
               b.no pluralism or absenteeism
               c.provincial councils & diocesan synods prescribed
               d.clerical celibacy enforced
               e.Inquisition to investigate heresy
          2.Dogmatic reforms
               a.Treasury of the Faith
               b.Apostolic Succession
               c.Magisterium of the Church
               d.Sacramental theology
               e.Catechism of the faithful
          3.Practical and Devotional Reassertions
               a.Canon of Scriptures
               b.Seven Sacramants
               c.Auricular confession
               d.Monasticism
               e.Invocation of the Saints
               f.Veneration or relics
               g.Index of forbidden books
     F.Failures of the Council of Trent
          1.no reunification of Christendom
          2.Lutheranism & Calvinism & Anabaptism spread 
          3.Continued secular dominatoin of the Church
VIII.Other Catholic Reformers
     A.Saint Theresa of Avila (1515-1582)
     B.Saint John of the Cross (1542-1591)