Report on abuses, 1930

File — Box: GTM Shared Box 28, Folder: 17

Scope and Contents

A bound volume containing correspondence to Superior General Vladimir Ledóchowski and a report assembled by Fr. Hughes in the process of writing A History of the Society of Jesus in North America, Colonial and Federal. The report entitled "de abusibus" ("on abuses") describes issues within the Jesuit community that he had discovered throughout his research. Many of the problems that he outlines surround materialism and worldly affairs, with specific transgressions listed such as playing baseball, drinking whiskey, and not fasting during particular liturgical events. Overall, he emphasizes that the Jesuits should maintain an active spiritual life and not allow themselves to be distracted by worldly pursuits. He believes that the Society's influence and vitality can be restored with perseverance and with reliance on God's grace.

Dates

1930

Conditions Governing Access

The Thomas A. Hughes, SJ Papers are on deposit at Georgetown University and are the property of the USA East Province of the Society of Jesus. As stewards of the Archives, the Georgetown University Library’s Booth Family Center for Special Collections is responsible for managing access to the material based on policies set forth by the USA East Province. Researchers may view these materials in the Reading Room of the Booth Family Center for Special Collections. General policies for using Special Collections can be found here.

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