The morning call., 1892-11-13
GENERAL OF THE JESUITS
How the Successor Of Loyola
Is Chosen.
NEW HEAD OF THE ORDER.
Father Martin Selected by the Electors of
the Great Catholic Missionary
Society.
NEW HEAD OF THE ORDER.

Four hundred years ago book was writ
ten under the title Spiritual Exercises"
whose author. three years later, placed him.
self at the head OF the company formed in
the cavern OF Manrese, which Immediately
began the conquest of the world.
The book has remained the iron rule of
the Jesuits, says the New York Sun, and
Ignatius de Loyola, who wrote it, trans
mitted from General to General his
supreme authority. The brave Spanish
gentleman, the wounded Captain OF Pampe-
Iona. the future saint, was the founder OF
the Company of Jesus, one OF the most pow
erful of religious orders.
The election of each successive chief Is
popularly supposed to be accompanied by
mythical legends. The "Black Pope" was
purported to reach his high estate through
an appalling, mysterious ordeal, crucial
tests, fanatieal and terrifying ceremonies,
in obedience to the last will Of his dying
predecessor. Alexander Dumas. the elder.
has given glowing picture of General of
Jesuits In lie Vicomte de Bragelonne sum-
mOning eight candidates, and finally pre-
sentlng his ring to Aramis and hailiBg him
as the next chief of the order. But pictur-
esque as the episode was, IL seemed some
what primitive and naf for a company re-
puied 10 be as astute and willy as 1t is
sign OF authority a ring is an article that
can be easily destroyed or counterfeited
and General poisoned by the commander of
his great council would not be in position
to appoint a successor. However, even sh6rn
OF the pomp and phantasy Of romance, the
election of the general of the Jesuits-sucE
as took place few days ago-is grave and
Imposing matter, seriously discussed among
the professed fathers before sending their
deputies TO the spot appointed for the final
meeting. 1t should be remembered that the
Company OF Jesus Is not a mOnastic order,
but an association of priests aud clercs
bound to obedience, but TO very few ma
terial rules. They form part of the company
from the time of the noyitiRte but are only
irrev0eably Incorporated with il long after
taking the orders OF priesthood, when they
are admitted to pronounce their vows.
From that moment the company is RESPONSE
bic for them. Ii can send them 10 remote
quarters or the earth, remove them from
active participation 10 its work, but it is
bound 10 supply all their wants.
The General is an all-powerfuI chief;
his commands are never disputed or dis
cussed; he decides all questions, solves all
difficulties unfettered, and once bis orders
are executed he is liable TO blame but from
one person-the Pope. Profoundly sub
missive to the Sovereign POntiff the Jesuits
have In fact the special mission of estab-
! fishing everywhere the supreme authority
of the holy See. They were the most re-
| douhtable adverseries of Jansenism and
| Gallicanism; they conquered the first with
Father Lachaise and the second with Pho
| Mono at the Vatican Council.
Al times their theological doctrine has
sweTved somewhat from those of the secu-
| lar clergy, but on mere points Of appTecia-
! ton. Leo Nil, who restored 10 them their
ancient privileges IN 1886, expects them to
teach, at least during his lifetime. the doe
trine Of ST. Thomas.
A certain number OF Latin phrases are
frequently quoted as eXpounding the belief
OF the Jesuits. Perinde ac cadayer is true
as regards obedienre, but sint ut sunt aut
non snt Is sentence enormously attributed
to Father Rieei at the time the company was
disBo we'd. 1t was the Pope Clement XIII
who gave that now historical answer 10 Car
dlDal Rocheehonart in 176l, when question
arose If modifying the statutes of the
Jesuits, in order to assert that so important
q company could be subjected 10 no change
aud was not TO be either exalted or con-
demned.
Clement XIV suppressed the COMPANY Of
Jesus on July q, 1773 on the inaugural day
OF the annual noyena Of St Ignalius.
IL Is remarkable that no Frenchman has
ever been General Of the Jesuits; probably
because the mercurial character attributed
TO his race has always created distrust. The
first three General, LOyola, Laincz aud
Francesca Borgis, the friend of the founder,
were Spanish, as well as the thirteenth,
Gonzales de Santalla. The present Father
Martin is the fifth Spanish General elected
There have been three Belgians. notably
Father Beckx, VINO, most unusual thing,
ruled the order for thirty-four years: eleven
Italians, two Romans two Neapolitans two
FlorentiDes and two Genoese. Among the
remainder were one Tsheck, one German,
one Pole, one Dutcbmau and one Swiss
Father Anderledy, the predecessor of Father
Martin.
The Official title of the General Of the
Jesuits is Pr9positus Generals. 1t is he
who commonly designates the Vicar Cen
eral who is to replace him after death till
the election of the new General is an
nounced. More often than not this tenn
! pOraTy chief is invested with the permanent
| power, as he Is judged to be the most
worthy. 1t was therefore expected that
| Father Martin would be elected. He was
| persona grata with the Holy See. faithful
/ disciple of the doctrine of ST. Thomas,
| averse TO politics, and his aim has always
| been 10 lead his order onward in the study
| and teaching OF the scientific questions
| which tend TO disturb the faith of certain
| theologians. The Roman College halls in
| him safe support and fresh. new vigor
The electors are the Provincial Fathers of
| the twenty provinces of tie company, with
| forty assistant electors, chosen two in each
province by the professed Fathers meeting
In special congregation. To these are
joined five more representing in Rome the
! five nations In which the company reigns
Italy. Spain, France. Germany, and Eng
|
electors, taking different roads, assembled
at Loyola In the large monastery built
| around magnificent domed church and the
casa solar of St. Ignatius. 1t is situated in
the province of Guipuscoa, between St.
| Sebastian and Bilbao. in a picturesque
locality. The coat of arms of the Loyolas
can still be seen sculptured over the prnci-
| pal gateway. the escutcheon bearing two
wolves erect bending over an iron cauldron.
This vessel (caIdera) indicated the right of a
1 nfSh unn IN ofo
ber of soldiers In time of war.
On the I'd of this month the electors
gathered together at Loyola, entered the
church, which is cl0istered like the monas.
terry, and the services began at 8 A. NJ.
Aker half an hours meditation mass was
said by Father Martin, and at the close the
| litanies were sung. The blessed sacrament
was exposed on the altar, and, after the
benediction, the fathers went professionally
TO the library, where 0aDuis clausis), with
closed doors. tie election took place by in
dividual and secret vote. At 10 o'clock
Father Martin had been chosen by strong
majority, and the result of the election was
wired to the Pope who responded imme-
diately by sending his cordial approval.
The new General is 46 years Of age; he was
born in Melgar in the Province of Burgos.
and has the reputation of being the most
learned theologian in Spain. Besides his
native tongue he speaks French, English
and Italian fiuently.
OF middle height, he has an energetic CONN.,
fenance more intelligent than aseetic; his
eyes are clear and deep. and his speech Is
simple and lucid, with remarkable strength
and directDess. Henceforth every minute
| of his life belongs TO The company and he
can attempt naught else His power is not
| quite so boundless as legends and romance
would make it, but bis duties are heavy,
| heavier and more numerous than is popu-
larry supposed. They are indeed so
| complex and engrossipg that very few
| constitutions can long stand the constant