Saint Joseph Pignatelli
Encyclopedia
Saint Joseph Maria Pignatelli (December 27, 1737 – November 15, 1811) was a Roman Catholic
Jesuit priest
born in Zaragoza
, Spain
, who was the unofficial
leader of the Jesuits in exile in Sardinia
, after the suppression of the Society of Jesus
.
His family was of Neapolitan
descent and noble lineage. After finishing his early studies in the Jesuit College of Zaragoza, he entered the Society of Jesus
on May 8, 1753 in Tarragona, Spain, despite his family's opposition. On concluding his ecclesiastical studies he was ordained, and taught at Zaragoza. In 1954, he was canonized by Pope Pius XII
.
In 1766 the Governor of Zaragoza was held responsible for the threatened famine
, and so enraged was the populace against him that they were about to destroy his palace by fire. Pignatelli's persuasive power over the people averted the calamity. Despite the letter of thanks sent by Charles III
the Jesuits were accused of instigating the above-mentioned riot. Pignatelli's refutation of the calumny was followed by the decree of expulsion of the Fathers of Zaragoza on April 4, 1767. Minister Aranda offered to reinstate the two brothers Nicola and Giuseppe Pignatelli, providing they abandon their order, but in spite of Giuseppe's ill-health they stood firm. Not permitted by Clement XIII to land at Civitavecchia
, with the other Jesuits of Aragon, he repaired to St. Boniface in Corsica where he displayed singular ability for organization in providing for five hundred fathers and students. His sister, the Duchess of Acerra, aided him with money and provisions. He organized studies and maintained regular observance.
When France
assumed control of Corsica
, he was obliged to return to Genoa. Pignatelli was again detailed to secure a location in the legation of Ferrara, not only for the fathers of his own province of Aragon, but also for those of Peru and Mexico, but the community was dissolved in August, 1773. The two Pignatelli brothers were then obliged to betake themselves to Bologna, where they lived in retirement (being forbidden to exercise the sacred ministry). They devoted themselves to study and Pignatelli himself collected books and manuscripts bearing on the history of the Society. On ascertaining from Pius IV that the Society of Jesus still survived in White Russia
, he desired to be received there. For various reasons he was obliged to defer his departure.
During this delay Pignatelli was invited, on the instance of Ferdinand, Duke of Parma
, to re-establish the Society in his States; and in 1793, having obtained through Catherine II of Russia
a few fathers from Russia, along with some other Jesuits the new establishment was made. On July 6, 1797, Pignatelli renewed his vows. In 1799 he was appointed master of novices in Colerno. On the death of the Duke of Parma, the States of Parma were placed under allegiance of France. Nevertheless, the Jesuits remained undisturbed for eighteen months, during which period Pignatelli was appointed Provincial of the Jesuits in the Parma dukedom. After considerable discussion he obtained that Jesuits be invited in Naples. The papal Brief (July 30, 1804) was much more favourable than that granted for Parma. The older Jesuits soon asked to be received back; many, however, engaged in various ecclesiastical callings, remained at their posts. Schools and a college were opened in Sicily
, but when this part of the kingdom fell into Napoleon's power, the dispersion of the Jesuits were ordered; but the decree was not rigorously executed. Pignatelli founded colleges in Rome
, Tivoli
, and Orvieto
, and the fathers were invited to other cities.
During the exile
of Pius VII and the French occupation the Society continued unmolested, owing largely to the prudence and the merits of Pignatelli; he even managed to avoid the oaths of allegiance to Napoleon. He also secured the restoration of the Society in Sardinia (1807). Giuseppe Pignatelli died on November 15, 1811 because of hemorrhages he got during October 1811. The saint rests today in a reliquary under the altar of the Chapel of the Passion in the Roman Church of Il Santissimo Nome di Gesù (the ‘Gesù’). Under Pope Gregory XVI the cause of his beatification was introduced, reaching conclusion on February 12, 1933 and being followed by his canonization in June 1954.
After St. Ignatius of Loyola, St. Joseph Pignatelli is arguably the most important Jesuit in the history of the Society of Jesus, linking the two Societies, the old Society which was founded officially in 1540, and the new Society which was founded forty years after the order had been suppressed by Pope Clement XIV in 1773. St. Joseph Pignatelli is thus considered the saviour and restorer of the Society of Jesus
.
Roman Catholic Church
The Catholic Church, also known as the Roman Catholic Church, is the world's largest Christian church, with over a billion members. Led by the Pope, it defines its mission as spreading the gospel of Jesus Christ, administering the sacraments and exercising charity...
Jesuit priest
Priesthood (Catholic Church)
The ministerial orders of the Catholic Church include the orders of bishops, deacons and presbyters, which in Latin is sacerdos. The ordained priesthood and common priesthood are different in function and essence....
born in Zaragoza
Zaragoza
Zaragoza , also called Saragossa in English, is the capital city of the Zaragoza Province and of the autonomous community of Aragon, Spain...
, Spain
Spain
Spain , officially the Kingdom of Spain languages]] under the European Charter for Regional or Minority Languages. In each of these, Spain's official name is as follows:;;;;;;), is a country and member state of the European Union located in southwestern Europe on the Iberian Peninsula...
, who was the unofficial
leader of the Jesuits in exile in Sardinia
Sardinia
Sardinia is the second-largest island in the Mediterranean Sea . It is an autonomous region of Italy, and the nearest land masses are the French island of Corsica, the Italian Peninsula, Sicily, Tunisia and the Spanish Balearic Islands.The name Sardinia is from the pre-Roman noun *sard[],...
, after the suppression of the Society of Jesus
Society of Jesus
The Society of Jesus is a Catholic male religious order that follows the teachings of the Catholic Church. The members are called Jesuits, and are also known colloquially as "God's Army" and as "The Company," these being references to founder Ignatius of Loyola's military background and a...
.
His family was of Neapolitan
Naples
Naples is a city in Southern Italy, situated on the country's west coast by the Gulf of Naples. Lying between two notable volcanic regions, Mount Vesuvius and the Phlegraean Fields, it is the capital of the region of Campania and of the province of Naples...
descent and noble lineage. After finishing his early studies in the Jesuit College of Zaragoza, he entered the Society of Jesus
Society of Jesus
The Society of Jesus is a Catholic male religious order that follows the teachings of the Catholic Church. The members are called Jesuits, and are also known colloquially as "God's Army" and as "The Company," these being references to founder Ignatius of Loyola's military background and a...
on May 8, 1753 in Tarragona, Spain, despite his family's opposition. On concluding his ecclesiastical studies he was ordained, and taught at Zaragoza. In 1954, he was canonized by Pope Pius XII
Pope Pius XII
The Venerable Pope Pius XII , born Eugenio Maria Giuseppe Giovanni Pacelli , reigned as Pope, head of the Catholic Church and sovereign of Vatican City State, from 2 March 1939 until his death in 1958....
.
In 1766 the Governor of Zaragoza was held responsible for the threatened famine
Famine
A famine is a widespread scarcity of food, caused by several factors including crop failure, overpopulation, or government policies. This phenomenon is usually accompanied or followed by regional malnutrition, starvation, epidemic, and increased mortality. Every continent in the world has...
, and so enraged was the populace against him that they were about to destroy his palace by fire. Pignatelli's persuasive power over the people averted the calamity. Despite the letter of thanks sent by Charles III
Charles III of Spain
Charles III was the King of Spain and the Spanish Indies from 1759 to 1788. He was the eldest son of Philip V of Spain and his second wife, the Princess Elisabeth Farnese...
the Jesuits were accused of instigating the above-mentioned riot. Pignatelli's refutation of the calumny was followed by the decree of expulsion of the Fathers of Zaragoza on April 4, 1767. Minister Aranda offered to reinstate the two brothers Nicola and Giuseppe Pignatelli, providing they abandon their order, but in spite of Giuseppe's ill-health they stood firm. Not permitted by Clement XIII to land at Civitavecchia
Civitavecchia
Civitavecchia is a town and comune of the province of Rome in the central Italian region of Lazio. A sea port on the Tyrrhenian Sea, it is located 80 kilometers west-north-west of Rome, across the Mignone river. The harbor is formed by two piers and a breakwater, on which is a lighthouse...
, with the other Jesuits of Aragon, he repaired to St. Boniface in Corsica where he displayed singular ability for organization in providing for five hundred fathers and students. His sister, the Duchess of Acerra, aided him with money and provisions. He organized studies and maintained regular observance.
When France
France
The French Republic , The French Republic , The French Republic , (commonly known as France , is a unitary semi-presidential republic in Western Europe with several overseas territories and islands located on other continents and in the Indian, Pacific, and Atlantic oceans. Metropolitan France...
assumed control of Corsica
Corsica
Corsica is an island in the Mediterranean Sea. It is located west of Italy, southeast of the French mainland, and north of the island of Sardinia....
, he was obliged to return to Genoa. Pignatelli was again detailed to secure a location in the legation of Ferrara, not only for the fathers of his own province of Aragon, but also for those of Peru and Mexico, but the community was dissolved in August, 1773. The two Pignatelli brothers were then obliged to betake themselves to Bologna, where they lived in retirement (being forbidden to exercise the sacred ministry). They devoted themselves to study and Pignatelli himself collected books and manuscripts bearing on the history of the Society. On ascertaining from Pius IV that the Society of Jesus still survived in White Russia
White Russia
White Russia or White Ruthenia is a name that has historically been applied to a part of the wider region of Ruthenia or Rus', most often to that which roughly corresponds to the eastern part of present-day Belarus including the cities of Polatsk, Vitsyebsk and Mahiliou. In English, the use of the...
, he desired to be received there. For various reasons he was obliged to defer his departure.
During this delay Pignatelli was invited, on the instance of Ferdinand, Duke of Parma
Ferdinand, Duke of Parma
Ferdinand Maria Philip Louis Sebastian Francis James of Parma was Duke of Parma from 1765 to 1802. He was the second child and only son of Philip, Duke of Parma and Princess Louise-Élisabeth of France, eldest daughter of Louis XV of France and Maria Leszczyńska...
, to re-establish the Society in his States; and in 1793, having obtained through Catherine II of Russia
Catherine II of Russia
Catherine II, also known as Catherine the Great , Empress of Russia, was born in Stettin, Pomerania, Prussia on as Sophie Friederike Auguste von Anhalt-Zerbst-Dornburg...
a few fathers from Russia, along with some other Jesuits the new establishment was made. On July 6, 1797, Pignatelli renewed his vows. In 1799 he was appointed master of novices in Colerno. On the death of the Duke of Parma, the States of Parma were placed under allegiance of France. Nevertheless, the Jesuits remained undisturbed for eighteen months, during which period Pignatelli was appointed Provincial of the Jesuits in the Parma dukedom. After considerable discussion he obtained that Jesuits be invited in Naples. The papal Brief (July 30, 1804) was much more favourable than that granted for Parma. The older Jesuits soon asked to be received back; many, however, engaged in various ecclesiastical callings, remained at their posts. Schools and a college were opened in Sicily
Sicily
Sicily is a region of Italy, and is the largest island in the Mediterranean Sea. Along with the surrounding minor islands, it constitutes an autonomous region of Italy, the Regione Autonoma Siciliana Sicily has a rich and unique culture, especially with regard to the arts, music, literature,...
, but when this part of the kingdom fell into Napoleon's power, the dispersion of the Jesuits were ordered; but the decree was not rigorously executed. Pignatelli founded colleges in Rome
Rome
Rome is the capital of Italy and the country's largest and most populated city and comune, with over 2.7 million residents in . The city is located in the central-western portion of the Italian Peninsula, on the Tiber River within the Lazio region of Italy.Rome's history spans two and a half...
, Tivoli
Tivoli, Italy
Tivoli , the classical Tibur, is an ancient Italian town in Lazio, about 30 km east-north-east of Rome, at the falls of the Aniene river where it issues from the Sabine hills...
, and Orvieto
Orvieto
Orvieto is a city and comune in Province of Terni, southwestern Umbria, Italy situated on the flat summit of a large butte of volcanic tuff...
, and the fathers were invited to other cities.
During the exile
Exile
Exile means to be away from one's home , while either being explicitly refused permission to return and/or being threatened with imprisonment or death upon return...
of Pius VII and the French occupation the Society continued unmolested, owing largely to the prudence and the merits of Pignatelli; he even managed to avoid the oaths of allegiance to Napoleon. He also secured the restoration of the Society in Sardinia (1807). Giuseppe Pignatelli died on November 15, 1811 because of hemorrhages he got during October 1811. The saint rests today in a reliquary under the altar of the Chapel of the Passion in the Roman Church of Il Santissimo Nome di Gesù (the ‘Gesù’). Under Pope Gregory XVI the cause of his beatification was introduced, reaching conclusion on February 12, 1933 and being followed by his canonization in June 1954.
After St. Ignatius of Loyola, St. Joseph Pignatelli is arguably the most important Jesuit in the history of the Society of Jesus, linking the two Societies, the old Society which was founded officially in 1540, and the new Society which was founded forty years after the order had been suppressed by Pope Clement XIV in 1773. St. Joseph Pignatelli is thus considered the saviour and restorer of the Society of Jesus
Society of Jesus
The Society of Jesus is a Catholic male religious order that follows the teachings of the Catholic Church. The members are called Jesuits, and are also known colloquially as "God's Army" and as "The Company," these being references to founder Ignatius of Loyola's military background and a...
.