View Page: The Jesuits: Il Gesu and Sant'Ignazio as Triumphant Churches

	The Jesuits: Il Gesu and Sant'Ignazio as Triumphant Churches
	written by hlc / 09.16.2004

Section Four

4 of 7

The Church Triumphant

The Holy Crusades

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Helmet from the Holy Crusades

Notice the crosses on this helmet; obviously the gear of a Christian soldier.

During the 16th century the Church had felt the impact of the protestant reformation and was filled with pessimism and insecurity. However, in the second half of the 17th century a new spirit of optimism and self-confidence invigorates the Church. The term, “the church triumphant,” refers to this new period of hope and assurance. What brings about this change from grief to hopefulness for the Church?

The Holy Crusades were one element that was crucial to the idea of the church triumphant. The Crusades were largely the product of Pope Innocent XI, whose goal was to unite the nations of Christian Europe in a holy war against the Muslim Turks. He achieved remarkable success in these wars, due in large part to his regime of reducing the Vatican’s debt. All the battles the Church won against the Turks were received with wild rejoicing, and served to build the strength and popularity of the church. The Crusades captured the support of the people as the militant Catholics were victorious again and again against the forces of Islam.

An example of this triumphal art is the “Adoration in the Name of Jesus” fresco on the nave vault of Il Gesu. The juxtaposition of the “adoration” and the “fall of the rebel angels,” though not from the same Biblical passage, complement each other perfectly in this fresco. Representing the triumph of good over evil, the angels over the demons, the Church over the Turks; this fresco embodies the spirit and feeling of the Catholic Church’s triumph.

Missionary Work

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Jesuit Missionary Work

This piece of art symbolizes Christianity being spread to China.

One of the most important factors in understanding the concept of the Church Triumphant is the missionary work of the Church. The Catholic Church looked to the lands beyond Europe to spread their faith and gained a large kingdom this way. This recruitment gave the Catholic Church a new vigor and pride, which was needed since the protestant reformation had resulted in so many losses. The church spread out to almost every corner of the world including: India, Japan, China, Philippines, the New World, and Mexico.

An example of this triumphal art is the “Triumph of Sant’Ignazio” fresco on the nave vault of Sant’Ignazio. This fresco depicts the triumph of the Jesuits in spreading the Catholic faith to the four corners of the known world. The triumph here is that of the Catholic missions, which ultimately, is a triumph for the Church.

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