Antique Jesuit Reliquary With 25 Relics Of Saints And Blessed, Circa 1910
Extraordinary ensemble of 25 relics connected to the spiritual universe of the Society of Jesus, preserved in an antique silver-plated metal reliquary, reasonably dated to the first quarter of the 20th century, circa 1910. More than for the case that contains them, the piece stands out for the strength and richness of its contents: it brings together in a single reliquary relics of founders, great missionaries, young saints, preachers, confessors, martyrs and blesseds connected to different fundamental moments in Jesuit history.
The ensemble is especially interesting because of the wide range of names it gathers. It includes major figures such as Saint Ignatius of Loyola, founder of the Society of Jesus; Saint Francis Xavier, the great missionary of the East; Saint Peter Claver, apostle of the slaves; Saint Aloysius Gonzaga, Saint Stanislaus Kostka and Saint John Berchmans, models of youthful Jesuit holiness; together with Saint Francis Borgia, Saint Peter Canisius, Saint Bernardino Realino, Saint Alonso Rodriguez, Saint John Francis Regis and other essential names of the Ignatian tradition.
To this selection is added a very important group of Jesuit martyrs and figures associated with martyrdom: Rodolfo Acquaviva, Peter Berno, Francisco Aranha, Antonio Francisco and Alfonso Pacheco, connected to the martyrs of Cuncolim; Andrew Bobola, Jesuit martyr of Eastern Europe; John de Brito, missionary and martyr in India; Charles Spinola, missionary and martyr in Japan; and the group of Kosice, formed by Melchior Grodziecki, Stephen Pongracz and Marko Krizin, the latter not a Jesuit, but martyred together with the two Jesuits and therefore fully connected with that martyrial context.
From a devotional and collector's point of view, what is most valuable is precisely this reading of the whole. It is not an isolated relic nor a single devotion, but a collective reliquary that condenses a true Jesuit spiritual geography: Rome, India, Japan, Central Europe, America and the great centers of mission and formation of the Society. The piece conveys the idea of a gathered memory: foundation, mission, teaching, preaching, penance, inner life and martyrdom.
The reliquary containing the relics is oval in format, made of silver-plated metal, of manageable size and prepared for hanging thanks to its upper ring. The case is sober, with a plain front frame and a twisted outer border. This exterior simplicity works well because it does not compete with what is essential: the interior. The relics are presented on a red background, arranged in horizontal rows, accompanied by legible cartouches and small internal receptacles. The red background greatly enhances the reading of the cartouches and gives the whole a vivid, orderly and very attractive presence.
The ensemble seems best placed in the first quarter of the 20th century, probably around circa 1910. The main reason is that some figures appear as blesseds after their beatification in 1905, especially Melchior Grodziecki and Stephen Pongracz, while Peter Canisius still appears as blessed before his canonization in 1925. Therefore, a prudent range between 1905 and 1925 is the most coherent, with an approximate date around 1910 fitting very well.
As for the condition, the reliquary preserves a good general appearance and the relics are presented in an orderly, clean way, with a very attractive readability. The labels appear clearly antique and coherent with the ensemble, with no evident signs of recent manipulation in the interior arrangement. The back is plain and accessible, and although it does not preserve the rear wax seal, the interior maintains a homogeneous, serious and antique appearance, with the relics well placed and accompanied by their original or period labels. This detail does not detract from the great devotional and collector's interest of the ensemble, centered on the quantity, identification and spiritual meaning of its 25 Jesuit and associated relics.
These are the 25 relics it contains
• S. Ignatii Loy. - Saint Ignatius of Loyola - canonized in 1622.
• S. Petri Claver - Saint Peter Claver - canonized in 1888.
• S. Franc. Xav. - Saint Francis Xavier - canonized in 1622.
• S. Aloisii Gon. - Saint Aloysius Gonzaga - canonized in 1726.
• S. Stanis. Kos. - Saint Stanislaus Kostka - canonized in 1726.
• B. Io. Berch. - Blessed John Berchmans - today Saint John Berchmans, canonized in 1888.
• S. Franc. Borg. - Saint Francis Borgia - canonized in 1670.
• S. Franc. de Hier. - Saint Francis de Hieronymo / Jerome - canonized in 1839.
• S. Io. Franc. Regis - Saint John Francis Regis - canonized in 1737.
• S. Alf. Rodr. - Saint Alonso Rodriguez / Saint Alphonsus Rodriguez - canonized in 1888.
• B. Ant. Bald. - Blessed Antonio Baldinucci - not canonized, remains blessed.
• B. Petri Canis. - Blessed Peter Canisius - today Saint Peter Canisius, canonized in 1925.
• B. Bern. Realin. - Blessed Bernardino Realino - today Saint Bernardino Realino, canonized in 1947.
• B. Rod. Aquav. m. - Blessed Rodolfo Acquaviva, martyr - not canonized, remains blessed.
• B. Andr. Bob. m. - Blessed Andrew Bobola, martyr - today Saint Andrew Bobola, canonized in 1938.
• B. Petri Bern. m. - Blessed Peter Berno, martyr - not canonized, remains blessed.
• B. Frcisci Aran. m. - Blessed Francisco Aranha, martyr - not canonized, remains blessed.
• B. Ant. Francisci m. - Blessed Antonio Francisco, martyr - not canonized, remains blessed.
• B. Alf. Pace m. - Blessed Alfonso Pacheco, martyr - not canonized, remains blessed.
• B. Melch. Grod. m. - Blessed Melchior Grodziecki, martyr - today Saint Melchior Grodziecki, canonized in 1995.
• Marci Cris. - Marko Krizin / Marko Krizevcanin, martyr of Kosice - today Saint Marko Krizin, canonized in 1995.
• B. Steph Pon m. - Blessed Stephen Pongracz, martyr - today Saint Stephen Pongracz, canonized in 1995.
• B. Io. de Britto m. - Blessed John de Brito, martyr - today Saint John de Brito, canonized in 1947.
• B. Marian. a Jesu - Blessed Mariana de Jesus de Paredes - today Saint Mariana of Jesus, canonized in 1950.
• B. Car. Spinul. - Blessed Charles Spinola, martyr - not canonized, remains blessed.
The reliquary brings together a group of fundamental figures of Jesuit spirituality. Saint Ignatius of Loyola represents the origin of the Society; Saint Francis Xavier, Saint Peter Claver and Saint John de Brito embody the missionary dimension; Saint Aloysius Gonzaga, Saint Stanislaus Kostka and Saint John Berchmans show youthful and formative holiness; while Saint Francis Borgia, Saint Peter Canisius, Saint Bernardino Realino, Saint Alonso Rodriguez and Saint John Francis Regis represent government, preaching, teaching, humility and spiritual life within the order.
The martyrial group is especially strong. Rodolfo Acquaviva, Peter Berno, Francisco Aranha, Antonio Francisco and Alfonso Pacheco belong to the circle of the Jesuit martyrs of Cuncolim, in India; Andrew Bobola represents Jesuit martyrdom in Eastern Europe; John de Brito, missionary martyrdom in India; and Charles Spinola, mission and martyrdom in Japan. To them is added the group of Kosice: Melchior Grodziecki, Stephen Pongracz and Marko Krizin. Although Marko Krizin was not a Jesuit, his presence is perfectly understandable because he was martyred together with Grodziecki and Pongracz, both Jesuits, forming with them an inseparable devotional group.
The presence of Blessed Mariana de Jesus de Paredes is also significant, a figure deeply connected to Jesuit spirituality in Quito, although she did not belong to the Society of Jesus. Her inclusion reinforces the idea of a reliquary not only of strict members of the order, but also of saints, blesseds and devotions related to the Jesuit world and its spiritual influence.
This is an especially interesting piece for a serious collection of religious antiques, for a buyer connected to Ignatian spirituality or for someone seeking an uncommon and very complete devotional ensemble. Its appeal lies not only in its age, but in the exceptional concentration of 25 relics linked to saints, blessed figures, missionaries and martyrs of the Society of Jesus. An antique reliquary of great spiritual content, highly representative of the Jesuit world and difficult to find with such a broad, varied and well-identified list of relics.
Measurements: Height: 8 cm (3.15 in). Width: 6.5 cm (2.56 in).
The ensemble is especially interesting because of the wide range of names it gathers. It includes major figures such as Saint Ignatius of Loyola, founder of the Society of Jesus; Saint Francis Xavier, the great missionary of the East; Saint Peter Claver, apostle of the slaves; Saint Aloysius Gonzaga, Saint Stanislaus Kostka and Saint John Berchmans, models of youthful Jesuit holiness; together with Saint Francis Borgia, Saint Peter Canisius, Saint Bernardino Realino, Saint Alonso Rodriguez, Saint John Francis Regis and other essential names of the Ignatian tradition.
To this selection is added a very important group of Jesuit martyrs and figures associated with martyrdom: Rodolfo Acquaviva, Peter Berno, Francisco Aranha, Antonio Francisco and Alfonso Pacheco, connected to the martyrs of Cuncolim; Andrew Bobola, Jesuit martyr of Eastern Europe; John de Brito, missionary and martyr in India; Charles Spinola, missionary and martyr in Japan; and the group of Kosice, formed by Melchior Grodziecki, Stephen Pongracz and Marko Krizin, the latter not a Jesuit, but martyred together with the two Jesuits and therefore fully connected with that martyrial context.
From a devotional and collector's point of view, what is most valuable is precisely this reading of the whole. It is not an isolated relic nor a single devotion, but a collective reliquary that condenses a true Jesuit spiritual geography: Rome, India, Japan, Central Europe, America and the great centers of mission and formation of the Society. The piece conveys the idea of a gathered memory: foundation, mission, teaching, preaching, penance, inner life and martyrdom.
The reliquary containing the relics is oval in format, made of silver-plated metal, of manageable size and prepared for hanging thanks to its upper ring. The case is sober, with a plain front frame and a twisted outer border. This exterior simplicity works well because it does not compete with what is essential: the interior. The relics are presented on a red background, arranged in horizontal rows, accompanied by legible cartouches and small internal receptacles. The red background greatly enhances the reading of the cartouches and gives the whole a vivid, orderly and very attractive presence.
The ensemble seems best placed in the first quarter of the 20th century, probably around circa 1910. The main reason is that some figures appear as blesseds after their beatification in 1905, especially Melchior Grodziecki and Stephen Pongracz, while Peter Canisius still appears as blessed before his canonization in 1925. Therefore, a prudent range between 1905 and 1925 is the most coherent, with an approximate date around 1910 fitting very well.
As for the condition, the reliquary preserves a good general appearance and the relics are presented in an orderly, clean way, with a very attractive readability. The labels appear clearly antique and coherent with the ensemble, with no evident signs of recent manipulation in the interior arrangement. The back is plain and accessible, and although it does not preserve the rear wax seal, the interior maintains a homogeneous, serious and antique appearance, with the relics well placed and accompanied by their original or period labels. This detail does not detract from the great devotional and collector's interest of the ensemble, centered on the quantity, identification and spiritual meaning of its 25 Jesuit and associated relics.
These are the 25 relics it contains
• S. Ignatii Loy. - Saint Ignatius of Loyola - canonized in 1622.
• S. Petri Claver - Saint Peter Claver - canonized in 1888.
• S. Franc. Xav. - Saint Francis Xavier - canonized in 1622.
• S. Aloisii Gon. - Saint Aloysius Gonzaga - canonized in 1726.
• S. Stanis. Kos. - Saint Stanislaus Kostka - canonized in 1726.
• B. Io. Berch. - Blessed John Berchmans - today Saint John Berchmans, canonized in 1888.
• S. Franc. Borg. - Saint Francis Borgia - canonized in 1670.
• S. Franc. de Hier. - Saint Francis de Hieronymo / Jerome - canonized in 1839.
• S. Io. Franc. Regis - Saint John Francis Regis - canonized in 1737.
• S. Alf. Rodr. - Saint Alonso Rodriguez / Saint Alphonsus Rodriguez - canonized in 1888.
• B. Ant. Bald. - Blessed Antonio Baldinucci - not canonized, remains blessed.
• B. Petri Canis. - Blessed Peter Canisius - today Saint Peter Canisius, canonized in 1925.
• B. Bern. Realin. - Blessed Bernardino Realino - today Saint Bernardino Realino, canonized in 1947.
• B. Rod. Aquav. m. - Blessed Rodolfo Acquaviva, martyr - not canonized, remains blessed.
• B. Andr. Bob. m. - Blessed Andrew Bobola, martyr - today Saint Andrew Bobola, canonized in 1938.
• B. Petri Bern. m. - Blessed Peter Berno, martyr - not canonized, remains blessed.
• B. Frcisci Aran. m. - Blessed Francisco Aranha, martyr - not canonized, remains blessed.
• B. Ant. Francisci m. - Blessed Antonio Francisco, martyr - not canonized, remains blessed.
• B. Alf. Pace m. - Blessed Alfonso Pacheco, martyr - not canonized, remains blessed.
• B. Melch. Grod. m. - Blessed Melchior Grodziecki, martyr - today Saint Melchior Grodziecki, canonized in 1995.
• Marci Cris. - Marko Krizin / Marko Krizevcanin, martyr of Kosice - today Saint Marko Krizin, canonized in 1995.
• B. Steph Pon m. - Blessed Stephen Pongracz, martyr - today Saint Stephen Pongracz, canonized in 1995.
• B. Io. de Britto m. - Blessed John de Brito, martyr - today Saint John de Brito, canonized in 1947.
• B. Marian. a Jesu - Blessed Mariana de Jesus de Paredes - today Saint Mariana of Jesus, canonized in 1950.
• B. Car. Spinul. - Blessed Charles Spinola, martyr - not canonized, remains blessed.
The reliquary brings together a group of fundamental figures of Jesuit spirituality. Saint Ignatius of Loyola represents the origin of the Society; Saint Francis Xavier, Saint Peter Claver and Saint John de Brito embody the missionary dimension; Saint Aloysius Gonzaga, Saint Stanislaus Kostka and Saint John Berchmans show youthful and formative holiness; while Saint Francis Borgia, Saint Peter Canisius, Saint Bernardino Realino, Saint Alonso Rodriguez and Saint John Francis Regis represent government, preaching, teaching, humility and spiritual life within the order.
The martyrial group is especially strong. Rodolfo Acquaviva, Peter Berno, Francisco Aranha, Antonio Francisco and Alfonso Pacheco belong to the circle of the Jesuit martyrs of Cuncolim, in India; Andrew Bobola represents Jesuit martyrdom in Eastern Europe; John de Brito, missionary martyrdom in India; and Charles Spinola, mission and martyrdom in Japan. To them is added the group of Kosice: Melchior Grodziecki, Stephen Pongracz and Marko Krizin. Although Marko Krizin was not a Jesuit, his presence is perfectly understandable because he was martyred together with Grodziecki and Pongracz, both Jesuits, forming with them an inseparable devotional group.
The presence of Blessed Mariana de Jesus de Paredes is also significant, a figure deeply connected to Jesuit spirituality in Quito, although she did not belong to the Society of Jesus. Her inclusion reinforces the idea of a reliquary not only of strict members of the order, but also of saints, blesseds and devotions related to the Jesuit world and its spiritual influence.
This is an especially interesting piece for a serious collection of religious antiques, for a buyer connected to Ignatian spirituality or for someone seeking an uncommon and very complete devotional ensemble. Its appeal lies not only in its age, but in the exceptional concentration of 25 relics linked to saints, blessed figures, missionaries and martyrs of the Society of Jesus. An antique reliquary of great spiritual content, highly representative of the Jesuit world and difficult to find with such a broad, varied and well-identified list of relics.
Measurements: Height: 8 cm (3.15 in). Width: 6.5 cm (2.56 in).
1 350 €
Period: 20th century
Style: Other Style
Condition: Good condition
Reference (ID): 1780387
Availability: In stock
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