JESUIT FUNDAMENTALS
[IGNATIUS OF LOYOLA, Saint; Juan Alfonso de POLANCO.]
Regulae Societatis Iesu.
Rome, in collegio Rom. eiusde[m] Societat., 1607.
[Bound with:]
[ACQUAVIVA, Claudio.] Ratio atque institutio studiorum Societatis Iesu. Rome, in collegio Rom. eiusde[m] Societat., 1606.
Two works in 1 vol., 8vo, pp. [48], 296, [2 (index)], [6 (blank)]; [8], 169, [31 (index)]; titles within woodcut architectural border with portrait of Ignatius of Loyola and Jesuit device; small loss to fore-edge of pp. 201–2 of first work, old repair to corner of last leaf of second work, occasional foxing and browning; overall a very good copy in contemporary vellum, title in ink at head of spine in later hand; a few marks, some wear to endbands.
Later editions of two fundamental Jesuit texts, the famous Rules of the Order, and the influential Ratio studiorum detailing the system of Jesuit education.
The Regulae (first published in 1580) encompass admission to the Society, care for the sick, food and drink, sermons, sleeping arrangements, the dead, alms, spiritual exercises, doorkeepers, books and library keepers, the education and examination of novices, missionary activity, women, pilgrims, punishments, working in the provinces, writing, and temptation, among many other topics. The Ratio (first published in 1599) covers educators and their assistants, the teaching of scripture, Hebrew, scholastic theology, casuistry, philosophy, mathematics, rhetoric and grammar, and examinations and prizes.
1. Sommervogel V, 103; USTC 4032851; Library Hub records three copies in the UK (BL, Bodleian, St George’s Chapel library). 2. Sommervogel I, 488; USTC 4033963; Library Hub shows four copies in the UK (BL, Bodleian, Durham University, Hereford Cathedral).
