JESUIT RATIO STUDIORUM OF 1599
TABLE OF CONTENTS
Introduction
Letter of Transmission of the Ratio of 1599
Rules of the Provincial
Common Rules of Professors of the Higher Faculties
Rules of the Prefect of Lower Studies
Rules for Written Examinations
Laws for Prizes
Common Rules for the Teachers of the Lower Classes
Rules of the Scholastics of the Society
Instruction for Those Engaged in the Two-Year Review of Theology
Rules of the Academy
Notes to the Translation
They shall observe the Rules of the Scholastics, except those which concern attendance at lectures and repetitions in the schools, with the same regularity as other students. They must be especially careful that in their ardor for study they do not allow their love of solid virtue to grow cold. They shall attend cases of conscience, all public disputations, and even the monthly disputations just as other students of theology. They must not only be present at the monthly disputations of the philosophers, but if the professors are absent they may also summarize the objections and answers at them as well as at the weekly disputations of theologians. According to the method of study and the time schedule prescribed them by the prefect, they shall give diligent and painstaking study to the material which was not treated at all in their course or only touched upon. They should make use of the commentaries by authors who have treated this material more thoroughly. They should then study the principal treatises of the whole of theology, such as those on the vision of God, the divine knowledge, predestination, the Trinity, from the first part of St. Thomas’ Summa. They should cover other parts of the Summa in the same way. In this study they should carefully weigh what others have written and should make their own digest of the chief divisions and fundamental theses of theology which have a bearing on many important disputed questions. They must keep firmly in mind, however, what the Society has decreed in regard to following the doctrine of St. Thomas Aquinas. They should formally write out certain theses, with their postulates, conclusions, and answers to objections, employing the scholastic method, as if they were to lecture on them before a class. These they should submit to the prefect of studies every month, or at least every other month, so as to receive his guidance.
2 They may in fact occasionally give such lectures either in private before our own professors or at the repetitions of the theologians, lecturing for about three quarters of an hour. The professors who are present ought to raise questions at the end of the lecture. If it seems worth while, such lectures may be delivered in the refectory. They may also prepare similar presentations on some celebrated topic to be treated in at most ten lectures. Classes and class time should be so arranged that any of the theological students who wish may attend. A time should be set aside for them to hold four disputations on particular parts of theology and one comprehensive disputation embracing the whole of theology. The first disputation should be scheduled for the early part of the first semester, the second at its close. The other disputations are to be scheduled in the same way, one each semester, but in such wise that the comprehensive disputation will conclude the final semester. They are to be at liberty in these disputations to take issue with the views of their professors and, if they wish, to defend their own, provided that their views do not conflict with the doctrine of St. Thomas, as stated in the decree of the Fifth Congregation. They must, however, come to an agreement well beforehand with the prefect of studies and the presiding officer regarding their dissenting views and the postulates and proofs they intend to offer in defending them. In order to show their abilities to better advantage, the presiding officer should allow them to answer freely and should not interrupt the discussion unless it is obviously necessary. They are to understand that during these two years they will be expected not only to become learned and ready in theology but likewise to acquire the ecclesiastical background knowledge which a theologian is really expected to know.
3 Accordingly, they should have a certain time each day for the careful reading of the Holy Scriptures, the decrees of the Councils, theological controversies, and canon law. They should take systematic notes on whatever appears important. They are not, however, to make any formal preparation for preaching, but on occasion they should lecture on some topic connected with their studies, either in the refectory or elsewhere as the superior shall decide. They are to pass over points of civil law which they may meet with in their study of canon law and spend all their time on ecclesiastical law. They should especially apply themselves to that subject which they find most appealing, being careful to have their superior’s advice in the matter. But they are not on this account to neglect prescribed areas in other fields.
RULES FOR THE TEACHER’S ASSISTANT OR BEADLE
4 The duty of the beadle is to perform faithfully any functions the teacher may require of him, especially assignments connected with class exercises. He shall see to it that the classroom and the teacher’s seat are clean, that a religious painting hangs in the room, that there are a sufficient number of benches, that they are clean and properly arranged, that broken or damaged benches are repaired, that special seats are set apart for students of the Society as well as for students of other religious orders from those of the extern students, that the classrooms are opened at the proper time.
5 He shall give timely notice to those who are to take their turn in disputations, repetitions, defense of theses, and he must perform other similar tasks assigned him by the teacher. He shall give about a week’s notice to those who are to defend in the weekly disputations. He shall have the theses written out in good time, taken to the professor for correction and to the prefect for approval. When they are returned, corrected and approved, he shall let the defendant know how many written copies he will need to prepare. On the morning of the day prior to the disputation he shall post one of these in public, legibly and neatly written, and then distribute the other copies to the disputants. He shall always have a watch with him at the lectures and disputations and notify the prefect and the professor when the time is up, so that each disputant may keep to the time allotted to him. He shall give the sign for the disputants to begin and conclude, as the prefect shall direct. He shall be responsible for the proper preparation of the hall for public disputations according to academic custom. He shall assign places to guests who are in attendance either to propound objections or to honor the occasion by their presence. When he notices that any students of the Society are absent from lectures, repetitions, disputations, or that they are remiss in anything pertaining to the order of studies or discipline, he shall report it to the superior.
RULES FOR EXTERN STUDENTS
6 Those who attend the schools of the Society of Jesus in pursuit of learning should be convinced that with God’s help, we shall make as great effort to advance them in the love of God and all other virtues as we shall do to perfect them in the liberal arts. Each student shall attend the class to which after examination he shall be assigned by the prefect of studies. They shall go to confession at least once a month, assist at daily Mass at the time appointed, and be present in a becoming manner at the sermon on feast days. They shall attend the weekly instructions in Christian doctrine and learn the lessons in the textbook assigned by the teacher. None of our students shall enter the school with weapons, daggers, knives, or anything else which may be forbidden by reason of place or circumstances. Students must never indulge in swearing, ridicule, insult, detraction, falsehood or forbidden games. They must keep away from places of ill repute and from such as have been proscribed by the prefect. In short, they should not do anything that is contrary to good morals. They should understand that the teachers may employ the corrector to punish them when in matters concerning discipline or studies, commands and warnings are of no avail. Those who refuse to accept the punishments or do not give promise of reform or are trouble to others or set a bad example shall be expelled from school. All must obey their teachers and must faithfully follow in class and at home the plan and method of study prescribed for them.
7 Pupils must apply themselves seriously and consistently to their studies; they must be prompt and regular in coming to class, and faithful in paying attention to the prelections, in repeating the matter explained, and in performing the tasks assigned. If there is anything they do not clearly understand or are in doubt about, they should seek the assistance of the teacher. In the classroom they should not move about, but each must remain at the place assigned him and be well behaved and quietly intent on his own work. No one is to leave the classroom without permission of the teacher. All disfiguring or marking of benches, the professor’s chair, seats, walls, doors, windows, or other furniture by drawing, writing, or carving is strictly forbidden. They should shun the company of those whose conduct is immoral or even questionable, and they should associate only with those whose example in studies and in conduct may help them. They should refrain altogether from reading pernicious as well as worthless books. They may not attend public spectacles, comedies, plays, or public executions of criminals. They must not take part in theatricals outside the school without obtaining permission of their teachers or the prefect of studies. All should strive to preserve sincerity of soul and purity of conscience and be especially exacting in their observance of the divine law. They should frequently and sincerely commend themselves to God, to the Blessed Mother of God, to the other saints, and earnestly implore the protection of the angels, in particular of their guardian angel. They should behave well at all times and in all places, but especially in church and the classroom. Finally, let them so conduct themselves in word and action that everyone may easily understand that they are no less earnest in acquiring virtue and integrity of life than in making progress in learning.
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