The celebration of the canonisation of Saint Ignatius of Loyola in Portugal (1622)

UIDB/00417/2020 UIDP/00417/2020The festivities for the canonisation of Ignatius of Loyola, celebrated in the Province of Portugal in 1622 and held in conjunction with those of Francis Xavier, necessitate an in depth study and reflection on what came before them, as well as the cross-referencing of ideas, and answers to questions related to the programmes chosen to materialise these ceremonies. What acts directly preceded the celebrations of the canonisation of two of the founders of the Society of Jesus in Portugal? Which were the models followed in Rome and Madrid? Were the festivities in Lisbon a model for the others in Portugal? Can these ceremonies be seen as the fulfilment of a rite of passage into the sacred sphere, which a formidable Theatrum sacrum, where the relics of the saint were present, tried to recreate? What were the material culture elements of the Assistancy in Portugal particular to these feasts? As some of these aspects have not yet been properly clarified for the Portuguese case, it is worth looking at them in comparison with the celebrations of the beatification of Ignatius of Loyola in Portugal and the other manuscript, printed, and iconographic sources of the ceremonies in Rome and Madrid. The text will also reflect on the weight the main founder of the Society of Jesus had in 1622, not only because this is the 5th centenary of his Conversion and the 4th centenary of his Canonisation, but also because Ignatius has not previously received the attention that Francis Xavier has had, due to the greater devotion Xavier has enjoyed in the Portuguese sphere.publishersversionpublishe