Rare and Remarkable: Recent Jesuit Acquisitions
Wednesday, November 1, 2017
12:00pm Program (Thompson Room)
12:45pm Luncheon (Irish Room)
Burns Library, Boston College
Please join us for a short program and luncheon celebrating the addition of two extremely rare and remarkable volumes to Burns Library’s noteworthy collection of early Jesuit sources.
During the summer of 2017, Burns Library had an unprecedented opportunity to purchase a manuscript produced in Spain around 1580 that was previously unknown to scholars of Jesuit history and spirituality. Jesuit manuscripts from this period almost never appear on the market, making this a particularly exciting acquisition.
Burns Library also recently acquired the very rare second edition of Ignatius’s Spiritual Exercises issued by the royal printer at the University of Coimbra in Portugal. Nine copies are known to exist—only three outside of Portugal—making the second edition even rarer than the first published in Rome in 1548. Previously in private hands, ours is the only copy to have been offered for sale in at least 70 years. Ignatius composed his Exercises as a guide for leading retreats consisting of structured meditation, prayer, and contemplation, typically lasting four weeks.
The acquisition of the manuscript was made possible by donations received in memory of John J. Burns, Jr., Class of 1953. Members of the Burns family and friends will join us for this special celebration. The events are free, and all are welcome.
Although RSVPs are not required, for seating and catering purposes, we would appreciate your indicating your desire to the program or luncheon or both.
Questions? Email kate.edrington@bc.edu
For more information about both acquisitions, please see the article in the Fall 2017 issue of the BC Libraries Newsletter.
