Ignatius of Jesus
17th-century Italian Roman Catholic friar
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Ignatius of Jesus (Italian: Ignàzio di Gesù, born Carlo Leonelli; 1596, Sorbolongo, Pesaro – 21 February 1667, Rome) was an Italian Roman Catholic friar of the Order of the Discalced Carmelites who served as a missionary in Persia, Basra, and Lebanon for 35 years.[1] He is best known for writing the first Western scholarly work on Mandaeism, Narratio originis, rituum, & errorum christianorum Sancti Ioannis ("Narration of the Origin, the Rituals, and the Errors of the Christians of St. John") (1652).[2][3]
Father Ignatius of Jesus | |
|---|---|
Ignàzio di Gesù | |
| Born | 1596 |
| Died | 21 February 1667 (aged 70–71) |
| Occupations | Friar and missionary |
| Years active | 1629–1664 |
| Known for | Writings on Mandaeism and the Persian language |
| Religion | Christianity |
| Church | Roman Catholic Church |
| Ordained | 27 February 1623 |
| Writings |
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Biography
1596, Carlo Leonelli was born as the fifth of sixth siblings to a semi-noble family in Sorbolongo.[2]
He joined the Discalced Carmelites (also known as the "Barefoot" Carmelites)[4] and took his vows on 27 February 1623, receiving the name of Ignatius of Jesus.[2]
He spent 35 years from 1629 to 1664 as a missionary in the Middle East in the following locations.[2]
He died in Rome on 21 February 1667.[2]
Works
Ignatius of Jesus is best known for his 1652 treatise on Mandaeism, Narratio originis, rituum, & errorum christianorum Sancti Ioannis ("Narration of the Origin, the Rituals, and the Errors of the Christians of St. John").[5]
His other works include Grammatica linguae persicae (1661),[6] a grammar of the Persian language.[1]