of its kind. The recent historical researches of the Spanish Jesuits have shed much new light on this question.[1] These Fathers have published in 1901-1902 many important documents on the educational methods of the Society, drawn up before 1584. Three documents especially exhibit three complete "Plans of Studies." The first was written by Father Jerome Nadal (Latinized Natalis), probably between 1548-1552, during the life-time of St. Ignatius. Nadal was well fitted for drawing up a plan of studies. Possessed of great talent and a singular prudence, he had made excellent studies in the University of Paris. Appointed Rector of the new College at Messina, in 1548, he wrote his treatise De Studiis Societatis Jesu, the first plan of studies of the Society known thus far.[2] The second is an adaptation of Father Nadal 's plan which was sent from Messina to the Roman College.[3] The most important is the third, written by Father Ledesma. This distinguished scholar had studied in the Universities of Alcala, Paris and Louvain. Immediately after his entrance into the Society, in 1557, he taught in the Roman College until his death, in 1575. As Prefect of Studies in this college, he drew up a plan of studies which practically contains, at least in outline, all points which were later on laid down in the Ratio Studiorum concerning classical
- ↑ Monumenta Historica Societatis Jesu: Monumenta Paedagogica, 1901-1902. We quote this important collection as Monumenta Paedagogica, to be carefully distinguished from Father Pachtler's Monumenta Germaniae Paedagogica.
- ↑ Monumenta Paedagogica, p. 8 and p. 89.
- ↑ Monumenta Historica Societatis Jesu: "Litterae Quadrimestres", vol. I, pp. 349-358.
