Originally published at National Catholic Register
SAINTS & ART: For helping to keep the Jesuits alive during their 18th-century suppression, St. Joseph Pignatelli is regarded as the second ‘founder’ of the Society after St. Ignatius of Loyola
As noted last month when we discussed St. Alphonsus Rodriguez, some saints are particular to specific religious orders’ or congregations’ calendars. Like St. Alphonsus Rodriguez, St. Joseph Pignatelli is honored in Jesuit parishes.
St. Joseph Pignatelli was born in Zaragoza in northeastern Spain in 1737 and entered the Society of Jesus there in 1753 after the death of both of his parents, who were of the nobility. Despite that, his first years as a Jesuit were spent as a humble teacher and chaplain.
A rebellion during a threatening famine against the local governor in 1767 was framed as an excuse to drive the Jesuits out of Spain and while, because of his noble status, Pignatelli could have avoided deportation, he chose to follow his community into exile. Ahead of the journey, local provincials had delegated authority to him, making him the provincial of some 600 Jesuits.
Thirteen ships set out for the western coast of what is today Italy, though they were not well-received, finding temporary respite in
