Ignatio de Loyola. EXERCITIA SPIRITUALIA: R. ADMODUMIN CHRISTO PATRE NOSTRO... Vienna: In aedibus Caesarei Colegii, dictae Societatis, 12 October 1563. Third edition. Parchment, ink manuscript title on spine. 12mo; A-Y8/4 (gathering S out of order) Z8 Aa(?)2; ff. 141, [1]. Italic type; text in Latin. With errata, woodcut initials, Society of Jesus woodcut device on title page and colophon, and full-page diagram on D1 verso. De Backer-Sommervogel 5/61.

4 7/8 x 3 in.

From the Collection of Professor Roberto Severino, Washington, D.C.

St. Ignatius of Loyola (Spanish, 1491-1556) began writing Exercitia Spiritualia (Spiritual Exercises) while devoting himself to a spiritual life in the city of Manresa, Spain and completed it during his time as a student in Paris in the early 1530s. His book, first published in 1548 as a Latin translation from the original Spanish, was meant as a guide to help followers commit themselves more fully to God. St. Ignatius is also known as the founder of the Society of Jesus.

Expected warping and light discoloration, wear, and cracking to parchment; writing on paste-down endpapers and title page recto and verso, signature A with light damp staining at top right corner, V1 with 3/4-in. edge tear, title page re-margined, small loss to rear free endpaper; occasional staining, light toning; minimal foxing, heaviest on endpapers with pages extremely clear and crisp for their age. A very good example of the third edition of this important devotional book; especially scarce outside of institutions.