Ignatius of Loyola: The Psychology of a Saint (Paperback)

by W. Meissner S.J. (Author) "To the eye of history, the background and traditions of the family into which a historical figure is born have meaning only in terms of..." (more)
Key Phrases: Society of Jesus, Martin Garcia, Holy Trinity (more...)

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.

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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 (1 customer review)
• Amazon.com Sales Rank: #301,806 in Books (See Bestsellers in Books)

Customer Reviews

Most Helpful Customer Reviews

1 of 1 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 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.