PART IX ¹THE SOCIETY’S HEAD, AND THE GOVERNMENT WHICH DESCENDS FROM IT #

CHAPTER 1: ²THE NEED OF A SUPERIOR GENERAL AND HIS LIFELONG TERM OF OFFICE #

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³In all well-organized communities or congregations there must be, besides the persons who take care of their particular goals, one or several whose proper duty is to attend to the universal good.⁴So too in this Society, in addition to those who have charge of individual houses or colleges and of the individual provinces where the Society has these houses or colleges, there must be someone with responsibility for the entire body of the Society,⁵a person whose duty is the good government, preservation, and growth of the whole body of the Society. This person is the superior general.⁶While he could be elected in either of two ways, namely, for a fixed period or for his whole life,⁷nevertheless, since experience and practice in government, a knowledge of the individual members See C-720, and the enjoyment of authority with them See C-721 constitute a great aid in performing this office well, his election will be for life and not for a fixed period.^{1 8}In this way too, the Society, which is commonly occupied with important matters in the divine service, will be less wearied and distracted by general congregations See C-722.

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A. ¹Besides the reasons mentioned in this constitution, there are still others for having a general who is elected for life.²One is that thoughts and occasions of ambition, which is the pestilence of such offices, will be banished farther than if the general were to be elected at specified intervals.³Another reason is that it is easier to find one capable person for this charge than many.⁴Still another reason is the example of the common practice among the more important governmental offices, which are held for life. So it is with the pope and bishops among churchmen and with princes and lords among laymen.⁵With regard to certain disadvantages which could ensue from holding such a charge for life, the remedy will be treated below in Chapter 4.

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B. ¹The superior’s authority will be greater if he cannot be changed than if he is elected for one or a few years: greater with the externs because he will be better known by all, and greater with the members of the Society for the same reason.²On the contrary, the knowledge that he must relinquish his office and be equal or inferior to the others, as also his being new in the office, can lessen his authority.

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C. ¹It is certain that congregations of the whole Society will occur less frequently if the superior general holds office for life. For the majority of congregations will be convoked to elect him, and other occasions will be few.

CHAPTER 2: ¹THE KIND OF PERSON THE SUPERIOR GENERAL OUGHT TO BE #

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1. ²In regard to the qualities which are desirable in the superior general See C-724, the first is that he should be closely united with God our Lord and have familiarity with him in prayer and in all his operations,³so that from him, the fountain of all good, he may so much the better obtain for the whole body of the Society a large share of his gifts and graces, as well as great power and effectiveness for all the means to be employed for the help of souls.

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A. ¹The six qualities treated in this chapter are the most important, the rest being reduced to them.²For they comprise the general’s perfection in relation to God, together with what perfects his heart, understanding, and execution; and also the corporal and external gifts helpful to him.³Morever, the order of their listing indicates the importance at which they are rated.

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2. ¹The second quality is that he be a person whose example in all the virtues will be a help to the other members of the Society.²Charity towards all his neighbors should particularly shine forth in him, and in a special way toward the members of the Society; likewise a genuine humility which will make him highly beloved of God our Lord and of human beings.

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3. ¹He ought also to be free from all inordinate affections, having them tamed and mortified so that interiorly they will not disturb the judgment of his intellect,²and so that exteriorly he will be so composed and, in particular, so circumspect in speaking³that none, either members of the Society (who should regard him as a mirror and model) or externs, will observe any thing or word in him that is not edifying.

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4. ¹However, he should know how to mingle the required rectitude and severity with kindness and gentleness in such a way that he neither lets himself be deflected from what he judges to be more pleasing to God our Lord nor fails to have proper sympathy for his sons.²Thus even those who are reprimanded or punished will recognize that he proceeds rightly in our Lord and with charity in what he does, even if it is against their liking according to the lower man.

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5. ¹Magnanimity and fortitude of soul are likewise highly necessary for him, so that he may bear the weaknesses of many, initiate great undertakings in the service of God our Lord, and persevere in them with the needed constancy,²neither losing courage in the face of the contradictions, even from persons of high rank and power, nor allowing himself to be deflected by their entreaties or threats from what reason and the divine service require.³He should be superior to all eventualities, not letting himself be exalted by success or cast down by adversity,⁴and being quite ready to accept death, when necessary, for the good of the Society in the service of Jesus Christ our God and Lord.

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6. ¹The third quality is that he ought to be endowed with great intelligence and judgment, so that he is not lacking in this talent in either speculative or practical matters which may arise.²And although learning is highly necessary for one who will have so many learned men in his charge, still more necessary is prudence along with experience in spiritual and interior matters, so that he may be able to discern the various spirits and to give counsel and remedies to so many who will have spiritual necessities.³He also needs discretion in exterior matters and a manner of handling such diverse affairs as well as of conversing with such various persons from within and without the Society.

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7. ¹The fourth quality, one highly necessary for the execution of business, is that he should be vigilant and solicitous in undertaking enterprises and vigorous in carrying them through to their completion and perfection, rather than careless and remiss about leaving them begun but unfinished.

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8. ¹The fifth quality concerns the body.²As regards health, appearance, and age, account should be taken on the one hand of dignity and authority,³and on the other of the physical strength demanded by his charge See C-732, so as to be able therewith to fulfill his office to the glory of God our Lord.

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B. ¹Thus it seems that he ought to be neither of very advanced age, which is generally unsuited for the labors and cares of such a charge,²nor of great youth, which generally is not accompanied by the proper authority and experience.

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9. ¹The sixth quality regards external things See C-734. Among these preference should be given to those which help more toward edification and the service of God our Lord in such a charge.²Such are normally esteem, a good reputation, and whatever else contributes toward authority among those within and without.

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C. ¹Nobility, wealth which was possessed in the world, honor, and the like are external endowments. Other things being equal, these are worthy of some consideration;²but even if they are lacking, there are other things more important which could suffice for election.

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10. ¹Finally, he ought to be one of those who are most outstanding in every virtue, most deserving in the Society, and known as such for the longest time.²If any of the aforementioned qualities should be wanting, he should at least not lack great probity and love for the Society, nor good judgment accompanied by sound learning.³In other matters, the aids which he will have (and which will be treated below) will be able through God’s help and favor to supply for much.

CHAPTER 3: ¹THE SUPERIOR GENERAL’S AUTHORITY OVER THE SOCIETY AND HIS FUNCTIONS #

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1. ²It is judged altogether proper for the good government of the Society that the superior general should have complete authority over it, in order to build it up. This authority (from which the general’s functions also become manifest) is that described below.³First of all, the superior general will have the power, personally and through others, to admit those whom he thinks suitable for the Institute of the Society in the houses and colleges or anywhere else, both to probation and to profession See C-737and also as formed coadjutors and approved scholastics.⁴He will likewise have power to let them depart and to dismiss them See C-738.²

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A. ¹When be admits one or several to profession through a third party, he should first receive information about them individually and be satisfied about their qualifications;²or he should give a special commission to someone in whom he has confidence as in himself to admit those judged fit, in accordance with what was said in Part V.

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B. ¹This is in conformity with what was stated about dismissing, in Part II.

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2. ¹He will also have authority to send those whom he decides upon to studies, at the place he thinks proper;²and likewise to recall them before or after they have finished their studies, and to change them from one place to another, as he judges to be more expedient in our Lord for their personal good and for the universal good of the Society.

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3. ¹He will have the entire superintendence and government of the colleges in regard to the students, teachers, and officials. Among these the principal person is the rector,²whom the general may appoint and remove, and give him the authority which he thinks is expedient in our Lord.³Through these rectors he will exercise the administration with respect to the material and temporal affairs of the colleges for the benefit of the students, as is stated in the bull.

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4. ¹He will require them to give an account of their office in the manner which seems best to him See C-742.²What holds true of the colleges is also valid for the universities which are in the Society’s charge, namely,³that the direction of the matters which concern life and doctrine will be vested in the superior general; and he will exercise it through the officials whom he appoints, in conformity with the Constitutions, and so on.

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C. ¹Whether they are to give this account to him, to the provincial superior, or to someone else who has an authoritative commission to receive it.

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]5. ¹In the superior general is vested all the authority to make contracts for the purchase or sale of any movable temporal goods whatsoever of the colleges and houses of the Society,² **** and to charge or redeem any annuities³ **** whatsoever on their immovable goods, for the utility and benefit of the same colleges, with the right to redeem the debt by restoring the money which was given.⁴³{However, without a general congregation of the Society he may not alienate or completely suppress colleges or houses of the Society that are already established}.

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6. ¹The general will also have the power to dispose of anything that is left in undetermined fashion to the Society’s disposition, whether immovable goods such as a house or property that is not applied or incorporated into a determined house or college by the one leaving it,²or movable goods such as money, grain, or any other things.³ **** He may sell, or retain, or apply⁵ **** whatever he thinks wise to one place or another as he judges it to be for the greater glory of God our Lord.

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7. ¹Moreover, the provincial and local superiors, rectors, and other commissaries of the general will have such part of his authority as the general communicates to them,²and will not need to assemble the members of the colleges collegially for such actions.

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8. ¹Just as it pertains to the general to see to it that the Constitutions of the Society are everywhere observed, so too he will have power to grant dispensations⁶ in particular cases which require such dispensation, account being taken of persons, places, times, and other circumstances See C-747.²He will do this with the discretion which the Eternal Light gives him, looking to the purpose of the Constitutions, which is the greater divine service and the good of those who live in this Institute.³He may use this power in regard to the experiences of those in probation See C-748as well as in other matters where such dispensation is deemed to be according to the intention of those who enacted the Constitutions, for the glory of God our Lord.

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D. ¹The general ought to exercise this authority personally. He will also be able to exercise it through someone else in urgent cases in which delay is impossible without notable inconvenience, or in which he has given a special commission to someone in whom he has confidence as in himself, especially in far-distant places such as the Indies.²It is also understood that he may dispense where, in view of the particular circumstances, he judges in our Lord that such is within the intention of the Constitutions, and not otherwise.

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E. ¹It will be within the general’s power to have all the experiences undergone, and even more than the six mentioned in the Examen, or to have one or some of them omitted or replaced by others,²when in a particular case what is generally fitting is now inexpedient; for example, the hospital, or pilgrimage, or lecturing, or some of the other experiences.

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9. ¹The same general will also have complete authority over missions, in no case contravening those from the Apostolic See, as is stated in Part VII.²From those under his obedience, professed or not professed, he may send all he thinks right to any part of the world See C-750, for whatever time seems good to him, whether it is definite or indefinite, to exercise any of the means employed by the Society to aid its neighbors.³Similarly, he may recall those sent See C-751, entirely as he judges to be for the greater glory of God our Lord.⁴Knowing the talent of those who are under his obedience, he should distribute the offices of preachers, lecturers, confessors See C-752, and the like,⁵assigning each subject to the office which he judges in our Lord to be more expedient for the divine service and the good of souls.

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F. ¹Thus he may send them, for example, among the faithful in the Indies and among the unbelievers where there are Christian inhabitants. In some cases or urgent necessities he may even send them where there are no Christians; but he should do this only after much previous deliberation.

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G. ¹He may recall not only those sent by his predecessor or himself but also those whom the sovereign pontiff sent without determining the length of their stay. This is granted in the bull of favors which was issued by our Holy Father Paul III in 1549.

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H. ¹The general may make this distribution through his officials, whether they are local superiors or not, as will be the case also with many matters mentioned or still to be mentioned.

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10. ¹The general will also have the task of using the privileges granted by the Apostolic See, and of communicating to each subject under his obedience the portion of those privileges which he judges will be well placed in him for the divine service, the end which is sought.²It will also belong to him to revoke or restrict these privileges, keeping in view the same norm of the greater service of God.

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11. ¹He will also have the task of giving correction and imposing the penances which he judges suitable for any faults whatsoever, with attention given to the persons and other circumstances.²The consideration of these is entrusted to his prudent charity, which he will use for the glory of God our Lord.

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12. ¹It is his task to summon the Society to a general congregation when one must be convoked for other matters than the election of the general;²and to order the convocation of a province congregation when he judges one expedient;⁷ and to direct those who attend and to dismiss them⁸ at the appropriate time when the agenda has been concluded.

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13. ¹Without his permission and approval, no one may accept any dignity outside the Society, nor will he give permission or approval if the command of the Apostolic See does not compel him.

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14. ¹Furthermore, he (as has been said) should personally appoint those whom he judges best fitted for the purpose as the rectors of colleges and universities, and similarly as the local superiors of the houses.²He will also appoint the provincials, normally for three years, although he may shorten or lengthen this period when he thinks that this will be conducive to the greater glory of God our Lord See C-758.³He will give to them the power which he judges wise.

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I. ¹With those who perform their office well and are able to satisfy him in it, nothing is lost by the limitation of three years, since the period can be shortened or lengthened.²With those who do not prove apt, something is gained by relieving them without embarrassment when their term is over, unless the general thinks that for the sake of the general good such a person ought to be relieved earlier.

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15. ¹Likewise, he may revoke, extend, or restrict their authority, and require from them an account of their administration.²Furthermore, if he communicates his own authority to the provincial for the appointment of local superiors and rectors, it will remain his part to confirm⁹ or remove them.

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16. ¹He should appoint the other officials necessary for the government of the Society, such as the procurator general and the secretary of the Society See C-761. He should give them the power which he judges in our Lord to be expedient according to the nature of the business and the persons.

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K. ¹Although in regard to these choices and other important or doubtful matters he may hear the advice of other persons he considers in the Lord will judge soundly, the power to decide will ultimately be his.

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17. ¹He may, without waiting for a general congregation, accept houses, colleges, and universities for the Society;²and admit to the rank of founders with the privileges mentioned in Part IV those who, he judges in our Lord, should be so admitted; and provide for lecturers, priests, and whatever else is needed.³He should endeavor to have all this done with conditions such that the Society experiences advantage for the end of the divine service which it pursues, and not detriment.⁴{However, if experience reveals that the Society has been burdened rather than helped, and the general provides no remedy, the next congregation of the Society could deal with whether the house, college, or university thus burdened ought to be given up or retained}.¹⁰

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¹¹¹{To transfer or suppress houses or colleges already founded, or to convert the fixed revenue from those institutions to the use of the professed Society, will not be within the general’s power, as was stated in Part IV}.

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19. ¹He should know the consciences, as far as possible, of those whom he has in his charge, especially of the provincial superiors and others to whom he entrusts important responsibilities.

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20. ¹To speak in general, he may command in virtue of obedience all the members in regard to everything conducive to the end which the Society seeks, the perfection and aid of its neighbors for the glory of God.²And although he communicates his authority to other superiors or visitors or commissaries, he may approve or revoke the actions they take and in all matters ordain what seems good to him.³At all times he should be obeyed and reverenced as one who holds the place of Christ our Lord.

CHAPTER 4: ¹THE AUTHORITY OR PROVIDENT CARE WHICH THE SOCIETY SHOULD EXERCISE IN REGARD TO THE SUPERIOR GENERAL #

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1. ²The authority or provident care which the Society will have in regard to the general, looking always to the universal good and greater edification, will comprise six points which can help toward the glory of God our Lord See C-767.

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A. ¹The Society will exercise this authority through the assistants, who will be discussed later.

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2. ¹The first point regards external matters such as clothing, food, and any expenditures touching upon the general’s person.²The Society will be able to extend or restrict all of these as it may judge to be appropriate for the general, the Society, and the greater service to God; and the general ought to be content with what is provided.

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3. ¹The second pertains to the care of his body, to prevent him from going beyond measure in labors or excessive severity.²And the superior will allow himself to be restrained and will be satisfied with what the Society orders.

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4. ¹The third pertains to his soul, in the case of some necessity which might arise, even among perfect men, regarding his person or his office. The Society should have a person with the general (and this can also be practiced with subordinate superiors) who will be obliged, after recurring to God in prayer and taking counsel with his Divine Goodness, if he judges it right,²to admonish the general with due modesty and humility about what in him he thinks would be for the greater service and glory of God.³ **** This could be the general’s confessor, or someone else appointed by the Society¹² **** who seems fit for this purpose.

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5. ¹The fourth is this. If pressure should be exerted upon the general, although without obliging him under sin, to accept a dignity which will require him to relinquish his office See C-772, he may not accept the dignity without the consent of the Society.²And the Society, looking to what is for the greater service and glory of God our Lord, will never give its consent unless compelled by a command of the Apostolic See.

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B. ¹This case would occur if a secular ruler sought to have him accept some dignity, and the pope ordered it but not so absolutely as to indicate an intention of obliging him to accept the charge.²For in such cases, where there is no obligation, the general should not and may not accept the dignity without the approval of the Society; and the Society should not and may not approve if the pope does not compel it by a precept obliging under sin.

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**** **** 6. ¹The fifth is this. If the general through illness or advanced age should be quite careless or remiss in the important matters of his office, without hope of his improvement in this regard and with the result that the common good suffers notably, a coadjutor or vicar should be chosen who is to perform the office of the general. ² **** This vicar may be chosen by the general himself (with the approval of the provincial superiors); or the provincials, each with the approval of two local superiors or rectors of his province, may by means of letters elect the vicar by a majority of votes, that he may govern the Society³ **** with the authority which the general thinks it proper to give him or which the Society thinks proper should it choose him.¹³

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7. ¹The sixth is this. In certain cases (which we trust in the Divine Goodness will by his grace never occur), as where mortal sins involving external actions are present²namely, sexual intercourse, infliction of a wound See C-775, appropriation of the fixed revenues of the colleges for his own expenses or giving them to someone outside the Society See C-776, alienation of immovable goods of the houses or colleges, or holding false doctrine³the Society can and should depose him from office when the evidence is altogether sufficient See C-777and dismiss him from the Society if necessary,⁴acting in all matters as may be judged to be for the greater divine glory and the universal good of the Society.

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C. ¹As with a weapon or knife or object capable of inflicting a notable wound.

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D. ¹What is specifically intended is to prevent him from giving anything to relatives or persons connected with him according to the world;²the door is not closed against the general’s having alms or whatever is appropriate given to persons he judges should receive them, for the glory of God our Lord.

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E. ¹Since those who hold an office, especially one so universal, can be calumniated by many persons for various reasons, much care must be taken that the proof for these faults are as strong as is morally possible.

CHAPTER 5: ¹THE SOCIETY’S MANNER OF PROCEEDING IN WHAT PERTAINS TO THE GENERAL #

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1. ²First of all, the provincial superiors personally appointed by the general are bound¹⁴ in the sight of God our Lord to consider and carry out what they owe to the universal good of the Society in regard to the above points having to do with the superior general, as they judge in our Lord.

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2. ¹Secondly, in regard to what pertains to his expenses, the care of his person, and other easily handled matters, there will be no need of a congregation.²Instead, the Society should have four assistants, persons of discretion and zeal for the good of the Society, who are deputed to remain close to the general See C-780³with the duty in the sight of their Creator and Lord of saying and doing whatever they think to be for the greater glory of God in regard to the first three matters mentioned in the preceding chapter.

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A. ¹They should be professed fathers{if this is conveniently possible}.¹⁵²If one or some of these assistants should on occasion be absent from the general, having being sent somewhere or other to return soon, it will be unnecessary to replace them; if they have to stay for a long time, others should be appointed.^{16 3}However, the superior general ought not to send them far from himself without serious reason or necessity.

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3. ¹The election of these four persons will be vested in the same persons who elect the superior general when they are in the congregation held for that purpose.^{17 2}If one of the assistants dies or for important reasons must be away from the general for a long time, and there is no opposition from the provincials of the Society, the general will choose another who, with the approval of all or the greater part of the provincials, will take the place of the one who is missing.¹⁸

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4. ¹Thirdly, if one of the sins sufficient for deposing the general from office should occur (and may God never permit this) and the case becomes evident through sufficient testimony or the general’s own admission, then the four assistants should be obliged under oath to bring the matter to the attention of the Society,²and under their four signatures, or those of three of them, to summon the Society to a congregation. That is to say, they must summon the provincials and two persons with each of them, and these will be obliged to convene See C-783.³When the offense is public and commonly known, the provincials¹⁹ ought to come without waiting for the summons of the four assistants but instead summoning one another.⁴On the first day when they are locked within the place of the congregation, with the four who convoked them present together with those who came at their summons, the person best informed should arise and explain the accusation,⁵After the general has been heard he should leave the room. Then the senior provincial, with the secretary and another assistant, should conduct the voting on the case,⁶first, on whether the accusation brought against the general has been proved, and then, if it has, on whether it is such as to require that the general be deposed,⁷The same provincial should announce the votes; to suffice they must be more than two thirds. In such a case, the election of another general should be taken up immediately,⁸and if it is possible they should not leave the room until the Society has a superior general.⁹If the matter cannot be resolved on that day, it should be concluded on the following or as quickly as possible, in the manner stated in Part VIII.

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B. ¹Nevertheless they should keep the matter as secret as possible, even in regard to the other members of the Society, until the truth has become apparent,²so that if what the four assistants were convinced of proves incorrect the general’s name may not be wrongly tarnished.

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5. ¹If the defects are found to be such that they require not his deposition but his correction See C-785, four persons should be charged with examining what correction should be given.²If their votes split equally and they do not agree, they should add one or three more persons in order to determine what is expedient in our Lord.

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C. ¹Whenthefaultsarefoundinsufficientforthegeneral sdeposition,other matters should be taken up so that it may appear that the congregation was called to discuss them, thus covering the matter of the general. Indeed, as far as possible, this should never be made public.²Likewise, those aware of the matter, particularly the provincials, should be forewarned when they are summoned, and strongly admonished after the matter has been clarified, not to disclose it to anyone.³If the decision is made to depose him, they should also treat with the superior general secretly about his voluntarily resigning his office, so that this may be made public and his sin, and deposition because of it, may be concealed.

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**** 6. ¹If the case arises that the superior general becomes unable to govern the Society See C-787, the matter should be discussed partly in his presence and partly in his absence,²to discern whether a vicar ought to be chosen to hold the entire authority of the superior general, though not the title, for the rest of the former general’s life; ³ **** and if this decision seems good to more than half, it must be carried out.²⁰⁴But if this does not seem necessary, there should be an investigation as to whether the Society would do well to provide other ministers in addition to those whom the general already has,⁵so that through his being relieved and aided in this way no deficiency in the government of the Society may be felt.⁶In this matter too that should be followed which more than half of the participants in the congregation ordain.⁷If the question happens to be about a dignity ordinarily incompatible with the general’s office and if there is not such a command from the sovereign pontiff that its obligation could be under pain of sin, the question should not be brought up for discussion.⁸For it should be held as certain that the general should not and may not consent to accept it See C-788.

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D. ¹A general would be totally unable if he has lost the use of reason or is so gravely ill with an incurable infirmity that he cannot attend to the affairs of his office and there is no hope of his being able to do so later.²Should the infirmity not be such as to preclude hope of his recovery, the general himself without a general congregation could appoint a vicar to perform all the general’s functions until he recovers, at which point the authority which had been given the vicar would cease.

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E. ¹From this it is evident that a congregation need not be summoned to decide this where there is no command from the Apostolic See obliging the general or the Society under sin if it is not carried out (as has been stated).

CHAPTER 6: ¹AIDS TO THE SUPERIOR GENERAL FOR THE PROPER PERFORMANCE OF HIS FUNCTIONS #

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1. ²The function proper to the office of the general is not to preach, hear confessions, and perform other similar ministries (though as a private person he will see what he can do in these ministries when the occupations proper to his office leave him opportunity, but under no other circumstances).³Instead, his office is to govern the whole body of the Society in such a manner that its well-being and proper functioning may through the divine grace be preserved and increased for the glory of God our Lord See C-790, by employing his authority as is expedient for that end.

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A. ¹He will achieve this kind of government primarily by the good reputation and example of his life, by charity and love for the Society in Christ our Lord, and by his constant and heartfelt prayer and Masses to obtain the grace of the aforementioned preservation and growth.²On his own part he should hold these means in high esteem and have great confidence in our Lord, since these are the most efficacious means of gaining grace from his Divine Majesty, the Source of what is longed for. Especially should the general do this as necessities occur.³Next, he will achieve this kind of government by his solicitude to maintain the observance of the Constitutions, by keeping himself frequently informed by the provincials of what is occurring in all the provinces⁴and by writing to the provincials his opinion about the matters which they communicate to him, and by so acting that provision is made where it is proper, either through himself or through the helpers who will be described later.

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2. ¹Presupposing his qualities of strong spirituality and virtue as treated above in Chapter 2, he still has need of good helpers for more particular matters.²For although he himself may sometimes handle them directly, he will still need lower superiors,³who ought to be selected men, to whom he can give considerable authority and ordinarily refer such particular matters.⁴Among these lower superiors, his more usual dealings will be with the provincials, just as the provincials dealing will be with the rectors and local superiors, so that subordination may be the better preserved.⁵Sometimes, however, for the sake of fuller information about everything and other situations which can come up, the general will deal with the rectors or local superiors and also with individual persons.⁶He will also endeavor to help them with counsel, reprimand, and correction, if necessary. For it pertains to him to supply for the defects of the lower superiors and, with the divine favor and aid, to bring to perfection what has been imperfect in them.

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3. ¹It will also be helpful in everything for the general to have close at hand the bulls, briefs, and all the concessions which pertain to the founding and the favors or privileges of the Society, and a summary of all of them;²and likewise a list of all the houses and colleges of the Society with their revenues; and another of all the persons who are in each province.³This list should contain not only the professed, the formed coadjutors, and the approved scholastics, but also those who are in probation; and on it their names and qualities should be stated. He should have this list renewed each year, if this seems expedient.⁴Finally, he should be informed about everything so that he may the better be able to make provision in all things for the glory of God.

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4. ¹As was stated in a general way in Part VI about the members of the Society not engaging in secular affairs even of a pious character, so the general more than anyone ought to avoid engaging in them or in other, even pious, affairs unrelated to the Society,²in such a way See C-794that he lacks time and energy for what is proper to his office, which requires the whole man and more.

[794] #

B. ¹This means insofar as he is able to excuse himself.²Ultimately, however, discretion will have to indicate whether personally or through other members of the Society on some occasion be ought to undertake the management of some pious works which do not pertain to the Society,³in consideration of their importance in the service of God our Lord, or of the persons urging them upon him.

[795] #

5. ¹Furthermore, he ought not to occupy himself much in the execution of the particular ministries pertaining to the Society which others can do See C-796, as would be, for example, the care of a particular house in regard to its temporal support and government.²On the contrary, as is stated above, he should have his officials in each place, even where he resides. Thus, even if he does not shift his entire burden onto them, he can certainly receive aid from them and they can lessen his concern for such matters.

[796] #

C. ¹It is more properly the general’s task to lay down the order to be followed, if a suitable one should be lacking, in his place of residence and elsewhere as well. But he ought to delegate the execution, as is stated.

[797] #

6. ¹Likewise in each province he should have as provincials men worthy of great confidence, being mindful that the good government of the Society depends in great part upon them and the local superiors.²When they are men of this type and he shares his labor with them in the things he can and meanwhile takes care to be kept informed of everything more important, he will have more time left to himself to deal with matters of universal import which he alone can handle.³He will also have greater light to see what should be done in connection with them, his mind not losing a part of its light (as often happens) through over involvement in particular matters and details which can weigh it down and weaken it for matters of universal scope.

[798] #

7. ¹The superior general needs helpers, not only for more individual matters, as was stated, but also for universal matters proper to his own office, so as to carry them out competently and without strain See C-799.²Therefore he requires to have someone to assist him with reminders of the numerous matters he must be solicitous to attend to in his office, someone to assist with advice on ordering them,³and someone to assist with diligent work and labor in executing them.⁴For it is certain that no one man’s memory could remember so many things; nor, if he could, could a single mind properly think them through and order them; nor, even if he could do that, would one man’s energies suffice to execute them.

[799] #

D. ¹Since he must carry on business with so many persons and deal with matters which are so various and of such great importance, he would carry an unbearable burden if he did not have the help of others. Even with great distraction of mind and shortening of his life, he could not carry this burden well.²Thus it becomes evident that all those who occupy important posts of government and give satisfaction in them should have many aids for their task.³Thus too the general needs them to perform his office well, promptly, and without strain.

[800] #

8. ¹In regard to the first point, his solicitude to attend to all affairs, the general ought to have one person who ordinarily accompanies him and should be his memory for everything which he must write and discuss, and finally for all the affairs of his office See C-801.²This person should take on the general’s own person and imagine that he carries on his own shoulders the general’s whole burden, except for his authority.

[801] #

E. ¹The function of this person will be to gather from all the letters and reports the substance and the points which must be referred to the superior and which require that a reply should be given or something should be done.²Further, according to the extent of the commission which the general gives him, he can reply to the letters, whether the general must sign them or the secretary himself at the general’s mandate.³He will show the letters to the general himself or, at his order, to the assistants or to one of them, or to no one, according to what the material treated and the circumstances of the secretary’s person require.

[802] #

9. ¹This person ought to be one who is solicitous and prudent and, if possible, learned; one too who has a pleasant personality and a good manner of dealing with all kinds of persons by word of mouth and by letters.²Above all he should be one in whom confidence can be placed and one who loves the Society in our Lord, so that the general may be better aided and served by him for the glory of God.

[803] #

10. ¹The second aid mentioned was counsel for ordering the affairs of moment which occur. How necessary this aid is to the general can be understood from the multitude of those affairs²and from the nature of the human intellect, which is unable to turn in so many directions with proper attention or to make proper provision for them.³Consequently, it seems that there ought to be, in the place where the superior resides, some persons of prominence in learning and all good qualities who may assist him²¹ and with special care take charge of attending to the universal affairs of the Society which the general entrusts to them.⁴This care could be divided among them to enable them to penetrate each matter better.⁵One, for example, could observe the affairs of the Indies, another those of Spain and Portugal, another those of Germany and France, another those of Italy and Sicily, and so on as the Society spreads into more regions.⁶Each one would offer special prayer and be mindful in his Masses of the region particularly entrusted to him, and he would examine what could be most helpful toward achieving the Society’s aims in that region;⁷he would go over the matter with the others where that seems specially called for, and after further discussion they could lay it before the superior.⁸Likewise, these persons would deal with what is proposed to them by the general or the secretary of the Society, so that matters may be more fully processed before being presented to the superior See C-804.⁹In general, in considering and settling the problems of doctrine and action which require greater thought, these assistants ought to assist the general and lighten his burdens.¹⁰Besides this function, and the fact that better provision in many matters can be made through them, they could attend to preaching, lecturing, hearing confessions, and other good and pious works, to the divine glory and the aid of souls.

[804] #

F. ¹Moreover, more important matters which need to be written, and instructions for members who are sent to various regions, could be discussed with these persons before being written, and the secretary could indicate their opinions to the superior; the same could be done in matters of doctrine.²Besides lessening the general’s burdens, this would lend greater authority to what he ordains.

[805] #

11. ¹The number of these assistants will be four for the present, and they may be those mentioned above.²Although the matters of importance should be discussed with them, the decision will always belong to the general, after he has heard them.

[806] #

12. ¹The third point concerns diligent labor in carrying out or executing what has been ordained for essential concerns of the Society; for example, the expediting or dispatching of matters regarding the houses and colleges, the defense of their interests, and in general all business matters.²For all these matters it will be very helpful, indeed indispensable, to have the help of a procurator general of the Society²² resident in Rome.³He should be a man of prudence, fidelity, skill in dealing with others, and all good qualities.{However, he should not be a professed father}²³{nor live in the house of the professed Society}²⁴ See C-807, but in another of which mention was made in Part IV.⁴He also should have his own helpers and necessary aids for the business which he could not do by himself alone See C-808.

[807] #

G. ¹{The procurators should ordinarily not live in the houses of the professed Society but in the house assigned to them}.²⁵²However, when they are not handling litigation or when there is some reason of urgent necessity or convenience, they could live for a time in the houses of the professed.³This should be left to those who have charge of the others in the houses of the professed Society, in accord with the order or commission they have from the general or with what they know clearly to be his intention.

[808] #

H. ¹An alternative is that there should be more procurators, according to the circumstances and urgent necessities in diverse and various regions.

[809] #

13. ¹It seems, therefore, that the general, provided with those aids, ought to employ the time which his health and energies allow him,²partly with God, partly with the aforementioned officials and helpers in conferring now with some and now with others, and partly with himself in reflecting privately and thinking out and deciding what should be done with the help and favor of God our Lord.

[810] #

14. ¹The provincial superiors and the rectors of colleges or the local superiors of houses also ought to have their aids, more or fewer in number according to the necessity and importance of the affairs entrusted to them.²In particular they should have persons designated to give counsel, with whom they should consult on the matters of importance which arise. But after these consultors have been heard, the decision should remain with the superiors See C-811.

[811] #

I. ¹From what has been said about the general, there may be inferred what applies to provincial and local superiors and to rectors of colleges²with respect to their qualities, authority, function, and the aids which each one ought to have. This can be made explicit in the rules for each of these particular superiors.