´Propulsors of the Baroque: The Jesuits in New Spain´

The researcher Emilia Recéndez gave a conference at the Museum of Guadalupe

Zacatecas, Zac.- Within the framework of the 21st Baroque Festival of Guadalupe, Zacatecas, the Museum of Guadalupe in coordination with the Academic Unit of Humanities Studies of the Autonomous University of Zacatecas (UAZ), held the conference entitled ” Propellers of the Baroque: The Jesuits in New Spain”, which was in charge of Emilia Recéndez Guerrero.

At the ex-library headquarters of said Museum, Recéndez Guerrero addressed two major themes: the Baroque and the Society of Jesus. The structure of the presentation was treated from the general history and not from the history of art, in this sense, he spoke about what is understood by Baroque, its characteristics and the context in which it was developed, in addition to addressing the theme of the foundation of Jesuits and their activities.

He explained that the Baroque is understood from its incipient period in the 16th century and part of the 18th century, mentioning that “the Baroque groups different art subjects, such as painting, architecture and music, mainly. As a fundamental element of the Baroque, we recognize the sense of provoking and delighting the senses, with respect to the spiritual manifestations that were wanted to be presented”.

He mentioned that in the context of the 16th century, considering its great manifestations of change, reformist movements stand out, such as Lutheranism, led by Martin Luther, the “counter-reformation”, which sought to reaffirm the power of the Pope, and the Council of Trent, which marked different new paths for the life of the clergy. In this context, -he said- appears the emergence of the Society of Jesus between 1538 and 1541, in a historical context in which a profound renewal of spirituality was taking place.

IMG 20221025 WA0069PROFANE AND RELIGIOUS

He asserted that the Baroque, -with this panorama-, had two main manifestations: the religious one, mainly marked with the construction of great churches and material creations “for the Glory of God” (Ad Maiorem Dei Gloriam) and on the other hand, the manifestations secular-aristocratic, mainly given in France and the Netherlands, which sought to reaffirm the position of the State in society.

“The main differences between the profane and the religious Baroque consist of the objects of adulation: while in one the figure of kings and monarchs is exalted, in the other the figure of God and his manifestations in the believing people are magnified” he pointed out Emilia Recendez.

Under these historical circumstances, -he said- appears the emergence of the Society of Jesus, headed by Ignacio de Loyola, who was a man from Guipúzcoa. He explained that Ignacio de Loyola was a soldier in the Navarran army, however, an accident occurred that damaged his left leg due to the impact of a cannonball.

It was from this moment that he experienced a process of conversion, when he gave time to read the life of Jesus and that of the saints. After a few months of meditation, he decided to lay down his arms in front of the Virgin of Monserrat (Loyola) and give his life to the pilgrimage. This is how the years went by, in which he began to experience intense spiritual processes, such as his time as a pilgrim in the Manresa cave, and subsequent processes related to education, where he began to train academically and brought together his first classmates.

IMG 20221025 WA0067EVANGELIZERS

He indicated that the members of the organization began their expansion and many were interested in the creation of schools, reforms of convents, diplomatic missions, in addition to being flexible in their evangelizing methods, adapting to the characteristics of each region.

On the other hand, he highlighted the educational work carried out by the Society of Jesus, where he pointed out that “in 1572 they were granted the space of San Ildefonso, which later functioned for the creation of the Colegio San Pedro y San Pablo.” Its main establishments in New Spain were Mexico, Puebla, Guadalajara, Zacatecas, Oaxaca and Pátzcuaro, whose main development was the foundation of baroque schools and temples, such as paintings and sculptures by indigenous hands.

Emilia Recéndez pointed out that “the singularities of the baroque in Jesuitism are marked by the desire to give more glory to God, both inside and outside its architectural structures. Thus, the Jesuits were not only promoters of humanistic education in New Spain, but also of the propagation of the faith in the new lands, using as their main means the diffusion of Baroque art and European thought in American contexts” .

Finally, he explained that the characteristics of the Jesuits are: service and love of God, their central axis is the universality of their mission, they work through education, they work with a sense of belonging, promoting dialogue and spiritual growth, their mission evangelism is the message of faith, as well as promoting the path of justice and solidarity.

In the same way, he added that the order has four vows, instead of the traditional three of poverty, chastity and pilgrimage: total obedience to the pope, in addition to practicing the so-called Spiritual Exercises, made by Saint Ignatius, based on meditations, prayers and exercises. mindsets designed to orient a person toward God.

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´Propulsors of the Baroque: The Jesuits in New Spain´