Secreta Monita Societatis Jesu. The Secret Counsels of the Society of Jesus, in Latin and English — John Shaqi
Secreta Monita Societatis Jesu. The Secret Counsels of the Society of Jesus, in Latin and English
History
Secreta Monita Societatis Jesu. The Secret Counsels of the Society of Jesus, in Latin and English
Jesuits -- Controversial Literature
X. Quando ergo circa viduitatis statum bene affectam esse constat, tunc
commendanda vita spiritualis, non religiosa, cujus incommoda potius
proponenda, et exaggeranda, sed qualis fuit Paulæ et Eustochii, &c.
prospiciatque confessarius ut quantocyus voto castitatis saltem ad
biennium vel triennium emisso, omnem aditum ad secundas nuptias excludat,
quo tempore omnis conversatio cum sexu impari, et recreationes etiam
cum consanguineis et affinibus prohibendæ, titulo majoris conjunctionis
cum Deo. Ecclesiastici autem à quibus vidua visitabitur, aut quos
visitabit, si omnes excludi nequeant, tamen tales sint qui ex nostrorum
commendatione admittantur, vel à nostrorum nutu dependeant.
XI. Huc usque ubi progressum fuerit, paulatim ad bona opera præsertim
eleemosynas inducenda erit vidua, quæ tamen nulla ratione præstabit
sine sui patris spiritualis directione; cum plurimum intersit, ut cum
discretione talentum in lucrum spirituale detur, et eleemosynæ male
collocatæ sint sæpe causa vel fomentum peccatorum, et sic simplicem
tantum fructum et meritum causent.
CHAP. VI.
How to conciliate rich widows to the society.
I. For this work, fathers advanced in age, should be chosen, of lively
complexion and agreeable conversation, by whom these widows are to be
visited, and as soon as they show any affection towards the society,
then let the works and merits of the society be exhibited to them,
which if they receive, and begin to visit our churches, look out for
them a confessor, by whom they may be weekly directed, especially in
order to constancy in their widowed state, by enumerating and praising
its advantages and happiness; and let them pledge their faith and stake
themselves as hostages that eternal reward can be acquired by such a
course, and that it is the most effectual method to escape the pains of
purgatory.
II. Also let the confessor provide that they should be occupied in
embellishing some house, as a chapel, or oratory, in which they can
employ themselves in meditations and spiritual exercises, so that they
may the more easily be called away from the conversation and visits of
suitors; and although they may have a chaplain, let _ours_ not abstain
from the celebration of mass, and especially from exhortations properly
made; and study to keep the chapel under their control.
III. Things which relate to the government of the house should be
cautiously and gradually changed, so that regard be had to person, place,
affection, and devotion.
IV. Let those domestics especially, be removed, but by little and little,
who do not plainly communicate and correspond with the society; and let
such be recommended, if any should be substituted, who depend on us, and
are content to do so; for so we can be made acquainted with all things
which are done in families.
Public-domain text, read in full here on John Shaqi.
Reviews
Reviews
No reviews yet
Be the first to share your thoughts on this work.
Join the Discussion
Join the discussion
Sign in to leave a comment or review.
Sign InorCreate an account