The Conflict between the Jesuits and Freemasons in Elegia żałośna, scil[icet], Tryumf francmasonów z wygnania jezuitów z Petersburga [A mournful elegy, scil[icet] the triumph of freemasons over the expulsion of the Jesuits from Saint Petersburg] by Win

Abstract

Elegia żałośna, scil[icet], Tryumf francmasonów z wygnania jezuitów z Petersburga, signed by Wincenty Wierzbiłowicz, was composed in the circle of freemasons, soon after the expulsion of the members of the Society of Jesus from the then capital of the Russian Empire. The poem, which refers to the events that were painful to the Jesuits, is saturated with irony and derision. Even its title is ambiguous as in an ‘elegy’ the reader should be presented with poetry expressing grief and lamenting some loss. Yet the author of this composition proclaims his joy over the misfortune that befell the Jesuits. He discredits the value of their teaching and casts serious doubt upon the special bond with Christ that the Jesuits claimed to have. Also, he is sure that the removal of the followers of St Ignatius from Saint Petersburg will wipe out their sense of superiority over the “commoners” and put an end to their infamous equivocation. Wierzbiłowicz describes the Jesuits as “villains”, and the principles and ideas they expounded are associated by him with “filth”. At the end of the poem, its tone changes. The author applauds the designs of Alexander I. Initially, the tsar intended to unite all religions as one and to revive spiritual life beyond the confines of particular denominations. He planned to establish a universal Church. The idea of freedom of religion, propagated by freemasons, concurred with his venture. Freemasons supported Alexander’s initiative and voiced their conviction that, as the Jesuits had been expelled from the Russian capital city, no one could hinder the implementation of the project. It is not known if the Jesuits prepared any direct response to Elegia żałośna, but the reputation and respectability of the order were definitely defended by Józef Morelowski, a Jesuit poet from Połock (now Polatsk, Belarus). In his works, he attacked freemasonry, arguing that members of masonic lodges spread lies about the Society of Jesus.