Paccanarists

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PACCANARISTS

Popular title of the Society of the Faith of Jesus, a religious institute that followed the rule of the jesuits, dedicated itself to carry on their work, and above all sought the restoration of this order, suppressed in 1773. Its founder, Niccolò Paccanari (1773–?), was an enthusiastic and eloquent Italian, born at Valsugana near Trent; he was, however, deficient in formal education, humility, and prudence. Business and soldiery occupied him until a serious illness, (1795) followed by the influence of a pious Roman confraternity called the Oratory of Caravita and 14 months of prayerful retirement, led him to establish in Rome a religious congregation (Aug. 15, 1797). His four companions, one a former Jesuit priest, chose him superior, although he had only the tonsure. Members took the three vows of religion plus a fourth vow of special obedience to the pope, whose formulation proved a stumbling block to many former Jesuits. The garb was the one once worn by Italian Jesuits. Early in 1798 Pius VI approved the new institute, selected its name, permitted it to recite the Breviary with Jesuit supplements, and to admit former Jesuits.

With papal encouragement Paccanari arranged a union with the Society of the sacred heart of jesus (April 18, 1799), almost identical in rule and purpose with his own institute. Paccanari, not a priest until 1800, became superior of the merged groups that bore the title of his original foundation, although his had but 19 members, whereas the other had 50, far superior in caliber, education, influence, and material resources.

For a few years the society increased rapidly in numbers as it spread from Italy and Austria into Germany, Switzerland, France, Holland, and England. It gained a good reputation for varied pastoral and educational activities. When Pius VII confirmed the Jesuits in White Russia (1801) and in parts of Italy (1804) and allowed them to accept recruits from elsewhere, many Paccanarists joined them. Paccanari discontented his subjects by his worldly outlook, ambition to retain authority, and disinclination to restore the Society of Jesus or to affiliate with it. All the 70 or so members in France won the nuncio's approval to form an independent body. After a papal investigation, Paccanari received a ten-year prison sentence (August 1808). Released by the French (1809), he returned to prison for another offense (1810). No further reliable record of him exists. When the Jesuits were completely restored (1814), most of the few remaining Paccanarists joined them.

Bibliography: o. pfÜlf, Die Anfänge der deutschen Provinz der neu erstandenen Gesellschaft Jesu (Freiburg 1922). j. burnichon, La Compagnie de Jésus en France, 1814–1914 (Paris 1914–) v.1. a. guidÉe, Vie du R. P. Joseph Varin (2d ed. Paris 1860). h. chadwick, "Paccanarists in England," Archivum historicum Societatis Jesu 20 (1951) 143–166. a. rayez, "Clorivière et les Pères de la Foi," ibid. 21 (1952) 300–328. l. koch, Jesuiten-Lexikon: Die Gesellschaft Jesu einst und jetzt (Paderborn 1934) 1763–64. l. deriÈs, Les Congregations religieuses au temps de Napoléon (Paris 1929).