Ignatius of Loyola: The Psychology of a Saint [Paperback]

W. Meissner S.J. (Author)

Book Description

Publication Date: August 31, 1994

Ignatius of Loyola-knight and saint, mystic and ascetic, founder of the Society of Jesus (the Jesuits)-was one of the greatest figures in Western Christianity. This book, written by a psychiatrist-psychoanalyst who is also a Jesuit, is the first work to investigate the inner life of Ignatius and to study the psychological motivations for his spirituality and mysticism.

Editorial Reviews

From Publishers Weekly

An authoritative, psychoanalytic biography of the 16th-century saint and founder of the Jesuits.
Copyright 1994 Reed Business Information, Inc.

From Library Journal

This may be the first psychoanalytic biography of Ignatius of Loyola. Jesuit Meissner (psychoanalysis, Boston Coll.) is well qualified for authorship. All aspects of the saint's life are analyzed in detail from a Freudian perspective. In addition to the obviously decisive battle injury, the following are seen as crucial influences: family background, his mother's death when he was an infant, his experience as a knight, and the historical setting of devoutly Catholic 15th- and 16th-century Spain. The book will appeal largely to specialists in psychoanalysis or to those with a deep interest in Ignatius. Nonspecialists will find more information than they want to know. Recommended for theological, seminary, and university libraries.
- Larry Seilhamer, St. Paul's Coll., Lawrenceville, Va.
Copyright 1992 Reed Business Information, Inc. --This text refers to an out of print or unavailable edition of this title.

Product Details

• Paperback: 510 pages
• Publisher: Yale University Press (August 31, 1994)
• Language: English
• ISBN-10: 0300060793
• ISBN-13: 978-0300060799
• Product Dimensions: 9.2 x 6.1 x 1.4 inches
• Shipping Weight: 1.7 pounds (View shipping rates and policies)
• Average Customer Review: 4.0 out of 5 stars  See all reviews (2 customer reviews)
• Amazon Best Sellers Rank: #675,467 in Books (See Top 100 in Books)

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Customer Reviews

Most Helpful Customer Reviews

3 of 3 people found the following review helpful:

4.0 out of 5 stars Not an easy to read book, February 5, 2008

By 

Harmonious "angelapi" (San Juan, PR Puerto Rico) - See all my reviews

This review is from: Ignatius of Loyola: The Psychology of a Saint (Paperback)

This is a difficult book to read unless you happen to be a psychiatrist. This book blends biography with psychological analysis. It took me at least eight months to finish this 400 pages plus book. The story of Iñigo, later to become Ignatius, is a remarkable one. You will witness the transition of Iñigo from a pugnacious young man, brave and passionate, into a mystic and an exemplary Christian (but still brave and passionate).

The author threads between two poles; on one hand you have the Grace of God acting on a broken (physically and spiritually) man making him fit to be called a saint and a mystic and, on the other hand, you have a man oppressed by psychological issues (narcissism, sublimation of libido and aggression). Somehow Ignatius reconciles both poles.

It is inappropiate for me to assign a rating for this book based on the merits of the psychological assesment made by the author, consequently, I am rating this book as a reflection of how much did I like it. I will give four stars to this book just because it is intricate and difficult to digest.

4.0 out of 5 stars Ignatius of Loyola on the Freudian Couch, November 23, 2009

By 

B. K. Rice "LCI Book Reviews" (York PA) - See all my reviews
(REAL NAME)   

Amazon Verified Purchase

This review is from: Ignatius of Loyola: The Psychology of a Saint (Paperback)

This is a wonderful book.
This is a long book.
This is a challenging book.

If you are looking for a basic introduction to the life of Ignatius or to the Society of the Jesuits, this is not the book for you.

If you are looking for an extremely thoughtful analysis of the inner workings of one of the greatest saints in the history of the church, this is the magisterial study.

I am not a Freudian psychologist, I am not a psychologist, I am not a Jesuit. I am a Raving Fan of Ignatius and the Jesuit order he founded. I read and study them a lot, learning the best practices I can from a founder and a company that has changed the world.

This book will give you all the historical details on Ignatius and his society. It will tell you the spiritual interpretations of his life. And it will probe and dig around the inner world of Ignatius from a Freudian perspective, wondering what made Ignatius tick.

I really liked it. If you get it, it will be a long read, but a good one.

Brian K. Rice
Leadership ConneXtions International
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