Edified by your example: Ignatius of Loyola and Francis Borgia
Abstract
The early years of the Society of Jesus were challenging because of the time, place, and circumstances in which Ignatius of Loyola asserted his vision for the Society. The complex story of the success of this Ignatian vision in such a contested atmosphere includes the actions of Francis Borgia, Duke of Gandia and third General of the Society of Jesus. In the polarized historiography of the order, Francis Borgia has been remote from Ignatius during the institution-building of the Society of Jesus, largely due to the documents that were recorded about Ignatius and the founding of the Society by Ignatius's inner circle, which included Borgia. Borgia allowed himself to recede in the historiography surrounding Ignatius, and re-emerged in the historiography during his own generalate. As a result, Borgia is the patron saint of the curia, but not normally included in studies of its first leader. This dissertation examines the nature and utility of the relationship between Ignatius and Borgia, and the motivation behind Borgia's actions on the behalf of the founder of the Jesuits. It positions Borgia in Ignatius's inner circle, and argues that Ignatius appreciated the obedience of Francis Borgia, even when Borgia's contemporaries did not. This dissertation includes a study of Ignatius's explicit participation in Borgia's actions; Ignatius acknowledged the challenges to his authority when he directed Borgia to become a secret Jesuit. Borgia's actions helped capture the charisma of the founder in the institution of the Society, and he is an important figure in the establishment of the Ignatian identity of the Jesuits. The resources of Francis Borgia and the vision of Ignatius of Loyola worked together to create the lasting identity of the Society of Jesus.
Recommended Citation
Maria del Pilar Ryan,
"Edified by your example: Ignatius of Loyola and Francis Borgia"
(January 1, 2003).
Dissertations available from ProQuest.
Paper AAI3087461.
http://repository.upenn.edu/dissertations/AAI3087461
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