1691 – Spiritual Exercises of Saint Ignatius of Loyola | Early Jesuit Devotional

Ignatius of Loyola was a Spanish priest during the 15th-century, who is remembered for founding the Society of Jesus, or Jesuits. He composed various spiritual exercises, wrote simple meditations and prayers which contributed to the growth of Jesuit doctrine. According to Puhl, these Jesuit devotionals were designed with the intention of

“helping participants in religious retreats to discern the will of God in their lives.” (Puhl, Ignatian Spirituality).

Ignatius aimed to have the reader develop spiritual discernment, or the ability to discern between good and evil spirits.

Bibliographic Details

• Title: Esercitii spirituali di s. Ignatio di Loiola, fondatore delle Compagnia di Giesu
• Author(s): Ignatius of Loyola
• Publisher: In Roma, Nella Stamperia di Gio. Giacomo Komarek Boemo
• Edition: 1691.
• Binding: Full vellum
• Format: (12mo), single volume
• Size:  6.75 in x 4.75 in (17 cm x 12 cm)
• Collation: 92, [2] p
• Provenance: handwritten notes on prelims and endpapers
• Contents Include:
  • Primary sequence of Ignatian exercises
  • Sections addressing spiritual discernment
  • Material arranged for private retreat use

Condition:

Good. Vellum binding remains tight with natural age staining. Spine shows toning typical for the period. Pages display mild staining and age toning with clear text throughout, and the volume appears complete without structural concerns.

Why Collect This?

• Early Rome printing of a famous Jesuit devotional
• Original vellum binding
• Appeal for collectors of Catholic and Jesuit theology

Item Number: #29738