The Superior General

The sixth book in the series of Fr. de Aldama's great exegetical commentaries on the Jesuit Constitutions that the Institute of Jesuit Sources has published, The Superior General deals with the unique style of government that Saint lgntius legislated for the society of Jesus. It treats first of the need for a superior general, and of the need that his term of office be a life-long one. Next, the discussion turns to the sort of person that the superior general should be: a man closely united to God in prayer, a man of virtue, of eminent learning, of great prudence; certain physical and external qualities are also required.

The narrative then goes on to speak of the superior general's authority over the society and its functions. Having complete authority over the functioning of the society in its long-range goals and in its day-to-day life, it is his task to see that the Constitutions are carefully observed, the send members of the Society on missions, to appoint superiors on his own authority: in brief, it is his function to command.