Jakub Wujek
Encyclopedia
Jakub Wujek son of Maciej Wujek; a Polish
Jesuit, religious writer, Doctor of Theology, Vice-Chancellor of the Vilnius Academy and translator of the Bible
into Polish.
where he proved himself exceptionally talented, especially in languages. On his parents' advice he moved to Cracow from Silesia in 1558 and studied classics, where in 1559 he received a Master’s degree in Philosophy.
He began to teach at the bishop of Cracow’s, Jakub Uchański
, school in Cracow. When Uchanski was made Primate
he sent Wujek to the Jesuit’s College in Vienna
. Here Wujek completed a master’s degree in Philosophy and supplemented his philosophical studies with mathematical lectures and learning Greek.
In 1565 he joined the Jesuit
Order in Vienna and after novitiate he began theological studies at Collegium Romanum where he received a doctor’s degree. After two years in Rome
he returned to Poland to Pułtusk, where he became a lecturer in Jesuits’ College. He was ordained a priest in 1568 in Pułtusk and from that moment he devoted himself the undertaking of preaching and writing. In 1571–1578 as Chancellor he organized the Jesuit College in Poznań
. In 1578–1580 he was Chancellor of the Vilnius Academy
. In 1579–1584 he founded the Jesuits province of Koloszwarz in Transylvania
.
Wujek published two books: Postylla katoliczna (Postylla catholica, 1573), Postylla mniejsza (Lesser Postilla), "Żywoty" (Lives), "Pasję"(Passion) and others.
In 1584 the authorities of the Society of Jesus commissioned Wujek to translate the Bible from Vulgate
- St.Jerome’s Latin translation of the Bible which was sanctioned by the Council of Trent
as the official Bible of the Roman Catholic Church in 1546. The first official version of the Vulgate, known as the Sistine Vulgate, was published on Pope Sixtus V’s recommendation in 1590 and evoked one of the biggest theological scandals in the history of the Roman Church. In an attempt to end the controversy with the interpretation of the Bible, Pope Sixtus V, deeply convinced of being inspired by the Holy Spirit, amended it. He changed the layout of chapters as well as the numbers of the verses, omitting some phrases and adding others at his own discretion. Immediately after the publication of the Sistine Vulgate and the death of Pope Sixtus V, all copies were bought by the Society of Jesus who then re-edited the Bible (completed in 1592). The changes introduced by pope Sixtus V were regarded as misprints. The re-edited Vulgate, known as the Clementine Vulgate, was officially published along with the bull “Aetenus Ille” by pope Clement VIII in 1592.
Wujek's translation of the New Testament first appeared in 1593, complete with "teachings and warnings" regarding the Brest Bible and the Socinian versions of Symon Budny
and Marcin Czechowic
. Czechowic accused Wujek of plagiarism, and Marcin Łaszcz responded on Wujek's behalf. Later it was corrected and republished with psalms in 1594. The final version was completed in 1595. However, because the translation was still based on Sistine Vulgate, Jesuits reviewed the translation and adapt it to the concord of Vulgate Clementine. It took a few years and the official translation was finally published two years after Jakub Wujek’s death in 1599. Although Jesuits’ corrections were numerous and significant, the translations went down in history as Wujek’s.
Wujek’s translation, Clementine Vulgate, contains numerous factual explanations and direct references to the original text.
In terms of language, Wujek continued to write in his predecessors’ style. His translation is precise and multilateral; its language is easy and clear whilst at the same time serious and dignified. Wujek’s translation replaced the Leopolita Bible and served as the fundamental Polish Catholic translation for over three centuries.
Jakub Wujek was buried in the grounds of Saint Barbara’s Church in Cracow.
Poland
Poland , officially the Republic of Poland , is a country in Central Europe bordered by Germany to the west; the Czech Republic and Slovakia to the south; Ukraine, Belarus and Lithuania to the east; and the Baltic Sea and Kaliningrad Oblast, a Russian exclave, to the north...
Jesuit, religious writer, Doctor of Theology, Vice-Chancellor of the Vilnius Academy and translator of the Bible
Bible
The Bible refers to any one of the collections of the primary religious texts of Judaism and Christianity. There is no common version of the Bible, as the individual books , their contents and their order vary among denominations...
into Polish.
Life
He studied at the Cistercian School in Wągrowiec and continued with humanities and classical science studies in SilesiaSilesia
Silesia is a historical region of Central Europe located mostly in Poland, with smaller parts also in the Czech Republic, and Germany.Silesia is rich in mineral and natural resources, and includes several important industrial areas. Silesia's largest city and historical capital is Wrocław...
where he proved himself exceptionally talented, especially in languages. On his parents' advice he moved to Cracow from Silesia in 1558 and studied classics, where in 1559 he received a Master’s degree in Philosophy.
He began to teach at the bishop of Cracow’s, Jakub Uchański
Jakub Uchanski
Jakub Uchański , of Radwan Coat of Arms, was an archbishop of Gniezno and primate of Poland from 1562 to 1581, interrex from 1572 to 1573 and from 1574 to 1575....
, school in Cracow. When Uchanski was made Primate
Primate (religion)
Primate is a title or rank bestowed on some bishops in certain Christian churches. Depending on the particular tradition, it can denote either jurisdictional authority or ceremonial precedence ....
he sent Wujek to the Jesuit’s College in Vienna
Vienna
Vienna is the capital and largest city of the Republic of Austria and one of the nine states of Austria. Vienna is Austria's primary city, with a population of about 1.723 million , and is by far the largest city in Austria, as well as its cultural, economic, and political centre...
. Here Wujek completed a master’s degree in Philosophy and supplemented his philosophical studies with mathematical lectures and learning Greek.
In 1565 he joined the Jesuit
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...
Order in Vienna and after novitiate he began theological studies at Collegium Romanum where he received a doctor’s degree. After two years in Rome
Rome
Rome is the capital of Italy and the country's largest and most populated city and comune, with over 2.7 million residents in . The city is located in the central-western portion of the Italian Peninsula, on the Tiber River within the Lazio region of Italy.Rome's history spans two and a half...
he returned to Poland to Pułtusk, where he became a lecturer in Jesuits’ College. He was ordained a priest in 1568 in Pułtusk and from that moment he devoted himself the undertaking of preaching and writing. In 1571–1578 as Chancellor he organized the Jesuit College in Poznań
History of Poznan
Poznań, today Poland's fifth largest city, is also one of the country's oldest cities, and was an important political and religious center in the early Polish state of the 10th century...
. In 1578–1580 he was Chancellor of the Vilnius Academy
Vilnius University
Vilnius University is the oldest university in the Baltic states and one of the oldest in Eastern Europe. It is also the largest university in Lithuania....
. In 1579–1584 he founded the Jesuits province of Koloszwarz in Transylvania
Transylvania
Transylvania is a historical region in the central part of Romania. Bounded on the east and south by the Carpathian mountain range, historical Transylvania extended in the west to the Apuseni Mountains; however, the term sometimes encompasses not only Transylvania proper, but also the historical...
.
Wujek published two books: Postylla katoliczna (Postylla catholica, 1573), Postylla mniejsza (Lesser Postilla), "Żywoty" (Lives), "Pasję"(Passion) and others.
In 1584 the authorities of the Society of Jesus commissioned Wujek to translate the Bible from Vulgate
Vulgate
The Vulgate is a late 4th-century Latin translation of the Bible. It was largely the work of St. Jerome, who was commissioned by Pope Damasus I in 382 to make a revision of the old Latin translations...
- St.Jerome’s Latin translation of the Bible which was sanctioned by the Council of Trent
Council of Trent
The Council of Trent was the 16th-century Ecumenical Council of the Roman Catholic Church. It is considered to be one of the Church's most important councils. It convened in Trent between December 13, 1545, and December 4, 1563 in twenty-five sessions for three periods...
as the official Bible of the Roman Catholic Church in 1546. The first official version of the Vulgate, known as the Sistine Vulgate, was published on Pope Sixtus V’s recommendation in 1590 and evoked one of the biggest theological scandals in the history of the Roman Church. In an attempt to end the controversy with the interpretation of the Bible, Pope Sixtus V, deeply convinced of being inspired by the Holy Spirit, amended it. He changed the layout of chapters as well as the numbers of the verses, omitting some phrases and adding others at his own discretion. Immediately after the publication of the Sistine Vulgate and the death of Pope Sixtus V, all copies were bought by the Society of Jesus who then re-edited the Bible (completed in 1592). The changes introduced by pope Sixtus V were regarded as misprints. The re-edited Vulgate, known as the Clementine Vulgate, was officially published along with the bull “Aetenus Ille” by pope Clement VIII in 1592.
Wujek's translation of the New Testament first appeared in 1593, complete with "teachings and warnings" regarding the Brest Bible and the Socinian versions of Symon Budny
Symon Budny
Symon Budny was a Belarusian and Polish humanist, educator, hebraist, Bible translator, Church reformator, philosopher, sociologist and historian.-Christology:...
and Marcin Czechowic
Marcin Czechowic
Martin Czechowic was a Polish Socinian minister, theologian and writer.-Life:...
. Czechowic accused Wujek of plagiarism, and Marcin Łaszcz responded on Wujek's behalf. Later it was corrected and republished with psalms in 1594. The final version was completed in 1595. However, because the translation was still based on Sistine Vulgate, Jesuits reviewed the translation and adapt it to the concord of Vulgate Clementine. It took a few years and the official translation was finally published two years after Jakub Wujek’s death in 1599. Although Jesuits’ corrections were numerous and significant, the translations went down in history as Wujek’s.
Wujek’s translation, Clementine Vulgate, contains numerous factual explanations and direct references to the original text.
In terms of language, Wujek continued to write in his predecessors’ style. His translation is precise and multilateral; its language is easy and clear whilst at the same time serious and dignified. Wujek’s translation replaced the Leopolita Bible and served as the fundamental Polish Catholic translation for over three centuries.
Jakub Wujek was buried in the grounds of Saint Barbara’s Church in Cracow.