Customer Reviews

Jesuits: A Multibiography

5 star:		(7)
4 star:		(1)
3 star:		(1)
2 star:		(0)
1 star:		(1)

 

 

What makes the Jesuits tick? No doubt the answer lies in the spirit of abnegation and service inculcated by the Spiritual Exercises, with the extraordinary sense of creative freedom that flows from it. Xavier, Ricci, Teilhard, the Jesuit martyrs in El Salvador, and many other of Lacouture's subjects enact this gospel paradox before our eyes in his vivid pages. Yet, with a slightly irritating Gallic coyness, Lacouture also insinuates a darker side to the Jesuit experiment. Conscious of how naturally blind obedience comes to the human animal and how calamitous its role has been in recent history, Lacouture suggest that the glorification of obedience to the Pope and to the superior has been a tragic shackle on Jesuits and their church (particularly after the nineteenth century restoration of the Society, under the auspices of ultramontanism and political reaction). Lacking theological qualifications, Lacouture does not query the biblical basis of the cult of obedience, contenting himself with vague allusions to masochism. That dark strain in his narrative reaches a painful climax in his account of John Paul II's treatment of Pedro Arrupe. The Jesuit exclusion of women (even of Madeleine Sophie Barat's Sacred Heart Sisters, formed on Ignatian principles) also comes in for some judicious criticism. Apart from a knowing pen-portrait of De Lubac, the book does not pay much attention to the great line of Jesuit theologians and philosophers. Their external lives would add little color to this multibiography, yet their intellectual adventures were perhaps as exciting as anything recounted here. On all fronts the Society of Jesus represents a precious heritage of Christianity and of Western civilization, and one can only pray for whatever radical adjustments are required to prevent it being squandered.

Uninfluenced by internal church politics and emotions, Jean Lacouture's book takes you on a most fascinating tour through one of the church most compelling histories. Objective but never moralistic, lengthy but never boring, Lacouture recreates the time and the very space in which the Jesuits emerged, oversaw and finally fell victim to their own success. The most comprehensive part, as far as I see it, is when the author describes the French connections of the Jesuits. The most compelling part, however, is Lacouture's description of their overseas endeavours in Asia and South America. Although rich in content and imagination, the Jesuit reductions in South America deserve more attention that a single chapter. Only by travelling to these overseas places, I guess, the author was able to capture the climate in which the Jesuits lived. I recommend this book strongly for anybody interested not only in church history but also in the academic debates of the centuries covered by the book. Rgds, Johannes van de Ven

I picked this book up because of a growing interest in the life of Pierre Teilhard de Chardin (portrayed in "Jesuits"). I was hoping to get a 'fleshed out' story of his life and Order, and figured knowing _something_ about Jesuits would be a good place to start.

What I didn't expect was a brilliant book, heavily researched and written like a novel. Lacouture is witty, engaging and provocative in his recounting of centuries of Jesuit history. His attention to de Chardin was beautiful, but I found a whole society worth viewing in this 'multibiography'.

This is highly recommended to people who enjoy history, the story of the Church, reading in general, chocolate, little furry animals and nice words. In other words, all of you.

BTW, I'm an atheist. This is fascinating even without a spiritual draw. And Lacouture is very objective and fair in his writings.

This book, which the author did not intend to make comprehensive, is the best general history of the jesuits I've read so far...it is fair in it's assessments of the society of jesus; and it aims to be fair...it does not intentionally aim for the sensational yet entertaining writing of Malachi Martin's book-this is more serious reading; the author approaches the lives of select Jesuits throughout history, starting with the founder-Inigo de Loyola; and taking the book through Francis Xavier in Japan, Matteo Ricci in China, and my favorite part of the book: the Jesuits in south america among the guarani-for anyone who loved the film "the Mission"-this chapter is worth obtaining the book alone! However, the story of the Jesuits suppression is a gripping page turner as well as how the society survives under some surprising protectors of Orthodox and Lutheran backgrounds...the chapter on teilhard de chardin made me want to dig up some of his works right away....but where the book really touched me was with the new Ignatius-Pedro Arupe- the father general who was not dealt so kindly by the current conservative pope...the book also includes some black and white photos of well known jesuits which help in associating a face with the histories behind them...beautiful book, which may stir the reader in further jesuits readings to complete the subject that was tackled here with admittted ommissions...

The book is written in a novel format with each chapter being a true story of Jesuits who represent the times. The author is very objective and while he praises the Jesuits throughout history, he also points out their flaws. The historical accounts and the social context of each puts a real face on the Society of Jesus. The reader comes to identify with and understands better why these men were both loved and feared, how they took courageous stands, yet backed down when they should have stood strong. It is a social history as well as a political history of the Church as well as the Jesuits.

The review by "Mr. Big," which for some reason appears twice, is so riddled with inaccuracies and errors that it is unworthy of Amazon.com. The references to the Jesuits as "popes" is sickening. The one thing that Jesuits have never been is "popes." Lacouture's book is obviously too big for "Mr. Big."

Fortunately, the other reviews are more reflective of the book and of Jesuit history.

It requires that the reader have in advance a significant knowledge of what the Jesuit order was about. It is mostly an essay on the unjust perceptions that people have had of Jesuits and Jesuitism, with some historical anecdotes interspersed (the most appealing parts are these). There are no facts plus development, but on the contrary, the commentary comes first, and it assumes that the facts behind the story being commented are known already. The book deals rather with the vision, or false vision, that generations of peoples have had of the Order founded by St. Ignatius of Loyola, and is very much preoccupied with the injustice committed on them and with explaining that black legend.

Of little worth, this book is, for the general reader who wants a historical account, and has no previous knowledge. A pity. The nature of the subject, the history and geography spanned starting with Íñigo's life and going all the way through the French Revolution and beyond, require clear ideas, and a more than clear exposition.

All right, I'll be honest: By the time I had read page 6 of this book I stopped dead in my tracts, looked at the cover of the book and to see just who wrote this. Jean Lacounture. A Frenchman. A graciously condescending Voltairian-liberal Frenchman, not only in matters of religion but of/to non-French Voltairian-liberals.

Okay, I thought. Guess I have to make allowances.

So I kept reading.

By page 61 I was THIS close to chucking the whole thing in the waste basket. Its not the subject, but M. Lacouture's style of writing. "Flippant" is perhaps the best word to describe it. "Ramblings" might be another.

Now I'm not saying that this subject should be solumnly handled with kid gloves. But, for pete sakes...
What do I mean? The author muses to himself. He adds numerous little asides and footnotes, some factual and many opinions, complete with a healthy sprinkling of exclaimation points and question marks. He merrily changes names in mid-chapter, even in mid-paragraph, i.e. in his later years in China missionary Jesuit Matteo Ricci became known to the Chinese by the name of Li Mateou. The author merrily referes to the man as either "Ricci" or "Mateou" apparently whenever he feels like it. Thus leaving the reader thinking: "Who was that again?"

Anyway, my advise? "Forget it."

Given this writer's style, this book is a labor of love (of the subject) to read if there ever was one.

(And yes, I did read the whole book. Akin to eating a bowl of cold oatmeal.)

The Jesuits were members of the roman catholic church also known as the society of Jesus. It was found by Saint Iganatious, who was a very well educated pope in 1540 A.D. St. Iganatious had friends who also jooined the Jesuits. One of his friends was Francis Xavier. He was also a very well educated and talented man. He helped St. Iganatious run the group and he was one of the people who were on the hall of fame for the Jesuits. Jesuits are known throughout the world. People in the world join the Jesuits because the group was a very religious order of men and it helped people all over countries. Jesuits were also very famous for their excellence in their missions and the vows which were very reasonable. Jesuits' missions were fantastic because the missioinaries help out people who are in need and they give blessings to the poor and the weak. They try to live their lives just as Jesus did.

The most heretic leader or pope to me was propbably Francis Xavier. I admire his work in the group and in his missions. He was probably the best missionary the Jesuits had. He helped out everyone and was a fine leader. He was admired by his followers, leaders and people who were helped by him. Xavier set a great example to all of the members and people who were younger to him. Xavier was known as the father of the his people. Xavier made up the vows which every Jesuits would take. These vows helped the leaders of the Jesuits make certain that the members would be very faithful to them. The vows were very strict, but it helped the members a lot.

My favorite part in this book was when the book talked about the missions. The missions were one of the best things that the Jesuits did. They traveled on carvans, boats, or on foot. Being a missionary was really tough. The members would have to be trained hard for 10 to 15 years.The members needed great experience to travel out of their homes and spread the words. First, they would have to know the bible and the stories really well. This way the members would be able to answer hard questions which are asked by unbelievers. Next, the missionaries would have to go travel to differnet places for a while because they didn't want people toget home sick. Finally they would have to test the members every thing.

The Jesuits were members of the roman catholic church also known as the society of Jesus. It was found by Saint Iganatious, who was a very well educated pope in 1540 A.D. St. Iganatious had friends who also jooined the Jesuits. One of his friends was Francis Xavier. He was also a very well educated and talented man. He helped St. Iganatious run the group and he was one of the people who were on the hall of fame for the Jesuits. Jesuits are known throughout the world. People in the world join the Jesuits because the group was a very religious order of men and it helped people all over countries. Jesuits were also very famous for their excellence in their missions and the vows which were very reasonable. Jesuits' missions were fantastic because the missioinaries help out people who are in need and they give blessings to the poor and the weak. They try to live their lives just as Jesus did.

The most heretic leader or pope to me was propbably Francis Xavier. I admire his work in the group and in his missions. He was probably the best missionary the Jesuits had. He helped out everyone and was a fine leader. He was admired by his followers, leaders and people who were helped by him. Xavier set a great example to all of the members and people who were younger to him. Xavier was known as the father of the his people. Xavier made up the vows which every Jesuits would take. These vows helped the leaders of the Jesuits make certain that the members would be very faithful to them. The vows were very strict, but it helped the members a lot.

My favorite part in this book was when the book talked about the missions. The missions were one of the best things that the Jesuits did. They traveled on carvans, boats, or on foot. Being a missionary was really tough. The members would have to be trained hard for 10 to 15 years.The members needed great experience to travel out of their homes and spread the words. First, they would have to know the bible and the stories really well. This way the members would be able to answer hard questions which are asked by unbelievers. Next, the missionaries would have to go travel to differnet places for a while because they didn't want people toget home sick. Finally they would have to test the members every thing.