THE PERFECT TRAINING OF A CHRISTIAN ACCORDING TO JESUITS' VISION: NO COPY IN USA

Segneri, Paolo. Il cristiano istruito nella sua legge. Ragionamenti morali di Paolo Segneri della Compagnia di Gesu. Venice, Baglioni, 1782.

3 parts bound in a thick volume in 4to, full stiff vellum with spine rebacked, handwritten titles in black ink and Jesuit arms at spine. Text in Italian on two columns.

Maybe the most important 18th century text about the perfect training of a Christian.

Paolo Segneri (1624–1694) was an Italian Jesuit preacher, missionary, and ascetical writer.He studied at the Roman College, and in 1637 entered the Society of Jesus. He lectured on humanities for several years, and was ordained priest in 1653. By a careful study of Scripture, the Fathers, and the Orations of Cicero, he had prepared himself for the pulpit. He volunteered for the foreign missions, but Tuscany, the Papal States, and the chief cities of Italy were to be the scene of his labours. He preached at first in the great cathedrals, and then for twenty-seven years (1665–92) gave popular missions with an eloquence surpassed only by his holiness. His "Quaresimale" was read and admired by Antonio Pignatelli, who as Pope Innocent XII summoned the missionary to preach before him, and made him theologian of the Penitentiaria. Segneri's biographer, Massei, states that "Le Prediche dette nei palazzo apostolico" (Rome, 1694) won the admiration of the pontiff and his Court. After St. Bernadine of Siena and Savonarola, Segneri was Italy's greatest orator: entire districts flocked to hear him.

Provenance: Manuscript emblem of the Company of Jesus at spine.

Reference: IT\ICCU\RLZE\030220 (only 1 copy). OCLC lists no copy in USA and only 3 worldwide (2 in Canada and 1 in Germany).

A fine set.