Joseph Pignatelli facts for kids

Quick facts for kids Saint Joseph Mary Pignatelli SJ
Restorer of the Society of Jesus
Born	(1737-12-27)December 27, 1737 Zaragoza, Spain
Died	November 15, 1811(1811-11-15) (aged 73) Rome, First French Empire
Venerated in	Catholic Church (Society of Jesus)
Beatified	21 May 1933 by Pope Pius XI
Canonized	12 June 1954 by Pope Pius XII
Major shrine	Church of the Gesù Piazza del Gesù, Rome, Italy
Feast	14 November

Joseph Mary Pignatelli, also known as Saint Joseph Pignatelli (born December 27, 1737 – died November 15, 1811), was a Spanish priest. He became an important leader for the Jesuits when their religious order was banned. He helped bring the Jesuits back together, especially in Sardinia. Because of his efforts, he is seen as the second founder of the Society of Jesus.

Life Story

Early Years

Joseph Pignatelli was born in Zaragoza, Spain. His family was from Naples and had a noble background. He studied at the Jesuit College in Zaragoza with his brother, Nicolás. During this time, he got tuberculosis, a lung illness, which affected him for the rest of his life.

When he was 15, on May 8, 1753, he joined the Society of Jesus, also known as the Jesuits. His family did not want him to join. After finishing his studies in theology, he became a priest. He was then assigned to teach at the College of Zaragoza.

In 1766, there was a risk of famine in Zaragoza. People were very angry at the city's governor and planned to burn down his palace. Joseph Pignatelli was able to calm the crowd with his words and stop the attack. Even though the king, Charles III of Spain, thanked him, the Jesuits were later accused of starting the riot. Joseph Pignatelli denied these charges. However, on April 4, 1767, a rule was made to force all Jesuits out of Zaragoza.

The Count of Aranda, a powerful person close to the king, supported removing the Jesuits. He offered Joseph and his brother Nicolás, who was also a Jesuit, a chance to stay in the city because they were from a noble family. But they had to leave the Jesuit order. Despite Joseph's poor health, both brothers chose to stay with the Jesuits and went into exile with them.

Life in Exile

The Jesuits from the Aragon region of Spain were not allowed to land in Civitavecchia, Italy, by Pope Clement XIII. So, they sailed to Corsica. Joseph Pignatelli showed great skill in organizing things for the 600 priests and students who were with him. His sister, the Duchess of Acerra, helped them by sending money and supplies. He made sure they could continue their studies and religious practices.

In 1770, France took control of Corsica, and the Jesuits had to move again, this time to Genoa. Joseph Pignatelli once more had to find a safe place for them, in Ferrara. He also helped Jesuits who had been forced to leave their missions in New Spain.

However, in August 1773, Pope Clement XIV officially banned the entire Society of Jesus. This meant the Jesuit community was dissolved. Joseph and Nicolás Pignatelli had to go to Bologna, where they lived quietly. They were not allowed to perform their duties as priests. They spent their time studying, and Joseph began collecting books and old papers about the history of the Jesuit order.

Bringing the Jesuits Back

A few years later, the new pope, Pope Pius VI, allowed former Jesuits to join the Jesuits who were still active in the Russian Empire. Joseph Pignatelli wanted to go there, but he had to wait. During this delay, Ferdinand, Duke of Parma, who had previously forced the Jesuits out of his lands, allowed Pignatelli to bring the Society back to his duchy. In 1793, with help from Empress Catherine II of Russia, Pignatelli brought some Jesuit priests from Russia and other former Jesuits to start the order again.

On July 6, 1797, Joseph Pignatelli renewed his religious vows. In 1799, he was made the leader for new members joining the order in Colorno. This new training center had been approved by the pope. When the Duke of Parma died in 1802, his land became part of France. Even so, the Jesuits were not bothered for about 18 months. During this time, in 1800, Pope Pope Pius VII appointed Pignatelli as the main leader of the Jesuits in Italy.

After much discussion, he got permission for the Jesuits to serve in the Kingdom of Naples. This permission, given on July 30, 1804, was even better than the one for Parma. Many surviving Jesuits wanted to rejoin, but some had other important church jobs they had to keep. Schools and a college were opened in Sicily. But when Napoleon took control of this area, the Jesuits were ordered to leave, though this rule was not strictly enforced. Pignatelli also started colleges in Rome, Tivoli, and Orvieto. Slowly, Jesuit priests were invited to other cities.

During the time when Pope Pius VII was in exile and the French controlled the Papal States, the Society of Jesus remained safe. This was largely thanks to Pignatelli's careful leadership. He even managed to avoid having to swear loyalty to Napoleon. He also helped bring the Jesuits back to Sardinia in 1807.

Death and Recognition

Joseph Pignatelli died in Rome on November 15, 1811. Rome was under French control at the time. He died from bleeding caused by his tuberculosis, which had gotten worse the month before. His body is now in a special container under the altar of the Chapel of the Passion in the Church of the Gesù in Rome.

The process to make Pignatelli a saint began under Pope Gregory XVI. He was declared "blessed" (beatified) on May 21, 1933, by Pope Pius XI. He was then made a saint (canonized) on June 12, 1954, by Pope Pius XII.

Legacy

The Society of Jesus was fully brought back into the Catholic Church in 1814.

After Ignatius of Loyola, who founded the Society of Jesus, Joseph Pignatelli is considered one of the most important Jesuits in its history. He connected the "old" Society, founded in 1540, with the "new" Society, which started again after being banned in 1773. Because of this, Pignatelli is rightly seen as the person who saved and restored the Society of Jesus.

See also

In Spanish: José Pignatelli para niños

Images for kids

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  Saint Joseph Mary Pignatelli