Jacob Gretser
Encyclopedia
Jacob Gretser was a celebrated German Jesuit writer.
in the Diocese of Constance. He entered the Society of Jesus
in 1578, and nine years later he defended publicly theses covering the whole field of theology. Ingolstadt was the principal scene of his work; here he taught philosophy for three years, dogmatic theology
for fourteen and moral theology
for seven years. He gave at least ten hours a day to his studies, which he protracted, at times, till late into the night, in order to devote part of the day to works of charity and zeal.
He was recognized as one of the best controversialists of his time, and was highly esteemed by Pope Clement VIII
, Emperor Ferdinand II, and Maximilian I, Elector of Bavaria
. Some of the greatest of his age, such as Cardinal Bellarmine and Marcus Welser, corresponded with him and consulted him in their difficulties. He died at Ingolstadt
.
enumerates two hundred and twenty-nine titles of printed works and thirty-nine manuscripts attributed to Gretser, but it is convenient to follow the grouping of his writings as they are distributed in the seventeen folios of the complete edition which appeared in Ratisbon (1734–1741).
The first volume
, for instance, contains five books treating successively of the Cross
on which Jesus Christ died, of images of the cross, of apparitions of the Holy Cross, of the sign of the cross, and of the spiritual cross. The second volume given fifty-seven Graeco-Latin eulogies of the Holy Cross by Greek
writers, the third treats of cross-bearing coins, of the Crusades
, adding also a defence of both the Crusades and the veneration of the Cross.
Life
Gretser was born at MarkdorfMarkdorf
Markdorf is a town in the Bodensee district, in Baden-Württemberg, Southern Germany. It is situated near Lake Constance, 10 km northwest of Friedrichshafen....
in the Diocese of Constance. He entered the Society of Jesus
Society of Jesus
The Society of Jesus is a Catholic male religious order that follows the teachings of the Catholic Church. The members are called Jesuits, and are also known colloquially as "God's Army" and as "The Company," these being references to founder Ignatius of Loyola's military background and a...
in 1578, and nine years later he defended publicly theses covering the whole field of theology. Ingolstadt was the principal scene of his work; here he taught philosophy for three years, dogmatic theology
Dogmatic theology
Dogmatic theology is that part of theology dealing with the theoretical truths of faith concerning God and his works, especially the official theology recognized by an organized Church body, such as the Roman Catholic Church, Dutch Reformed Church, etc...
for fourteen and moral theology
Moral theology
Moral theology is a systematic theological treatment of Christian ethics. It is usually taught on Divinity faculties as a part of the basic curriculum.- External links :*...
for seven years. He gave at least ten hours a day to his studies, which he protracted, at times, till late into the night, in order to devote part of the day to works of charity and zeal.
He was recognized as one of the best controversialists of his time, and was highly esteemed by Pope Clement VIII
Pope Clement VIII
Pope Clement VIII , born Ippolito Aldobrandini, was Pope from 30 January 1592 to 3 March 1605.-Cardinal:...
, Emperor Ferdinand II, and Maximilian I, Elector of Bavaria
Maximilian I, Elector of Bavaria
Maximilian I, Duke/Elector of Bavaria , called "the Great", was a Wittelsbach ruler of Bavaria and a prince-elector of the Holy Roman Empire. His reign was marked by the Thirty Years' War ....
. Some of the greatest of his age, such as Cardinal Bellarmine and Marcus Welser, corresponded with him and consulted him in their difficulties. He died at Ingolstadt
Ingolstadt
Ingolstadt is a city in the Free State of Bavaria, in the Federal Republic of Germany. It is located along the banks of the Danube River, in the center of Bavaria. As at 31 March 2011, Ingolstadt had 125.407 residents...
.
Works
He edited or explained many works of the patristic and medieval writers, and composed erudite treatises on most diverse subjects. Carlos SommervogelCarlos Sommervogel
Carlos Sommervogel was a French Jesuit scholar. He was author of the monumental Bibliothèque de la Compagnie de Jésus, which served as one of the major references for the editors of the Catholic Encyclopedia....
enumerates two hundred and twenty-nine titles of printed works and thirty-nine manuscripts attributed to Gretser, but it is convenient to follow the grouping of his writings as they are distributed in the seventeen folios of the complete edition which appeared in Ratisbon (1734–1741).
- Vols. I-III contain archaeological and theological disquisitions concerning the Cross of Christ
- IV-V, a defence of several ecclesiastical feasts and rites
- VI-VII, apologies for several Roman pontiffs
- VIII-IX, a defence of Bellarmine's writings, to which vol. X adds a defence of some lives of the Saints
- XI, a defence of the Society of Jesus
- XII, polemics against the Lutherans and Waldenses
- XIII, polemic miscellanies
- XIV-XV, editions and translations of Greek ecclesiastical writer
- XVI-XVII, philological works
The first volume
Volume
Volume is the quantity of three-dimensional space enclosed by some closed boundary, for example, the space that a substance or shape occupies or contains....
, for instance, contains five books treating successively of the Cross
Cross
A cross is a geometrical figure consisting of two lines or bars perpendicular to each other, dividing one or two of the lines in half. The lines usually run vertically and horizontally; if they run obliquely, the design is technically termed a saltire, although the arms of a saltire need not meet...
on which Jesus Christ died, of images of the cross, of apparitions of the Holy Cross, of the sign of the cross, and of the spiritual cross. The second volume given fifty-seven Graeco-Latin eulogies of the Holy Cross by Greek
Greeks
The Greeks, also known as the Hellenes , are a nation and ethnic group native to Greece, Cyprus and neighboring regions. They also form a significant diaspora, with Greek communities established around the world....
writers, the third treats of cross-bearing coins, of the Crusades
Crusades
The Crusades were a series of religious wars, blessed by the Pope and the Catholic Church with the main goal of restoring Christian access to the holy places in and near Jerusalem...
, adding also a defence of both the Crusades and the veneration of the Cross.