Gabriel Lenkiewicz
Encyclopedia
Gabriel Lenkiewicz was temporary Vicar General of the Society of Jesus from 1785 until 1798, at a time when, being suppressed in all Catholic countries, the Society of Jesus
was still surviving in Russia
.
-Lithuania
n family Lenkiewicz joined the Jesuits after making the 'Humanities'. He did his Philosophy (1748-51) in Belarus, and then studied Mathematics
, Astronomy
and Architecture
in the academy of Vilnius
(1752-54). This was followed by Theology in Warsaw
(1754-58) during which he was ordained priest (1757). After a few years of teaching Mathematics in Warsaw he was sent to Rome (Roman College) for further specialization in Architecture (1762-65).
he was appointed to teach science at Polatsk
(1765-68) but he made himself a name rather as architect of public and ecclesiastical building, including the construction of new premises for the high school of Polatsk (of which Stanislaus Czerniewicz
was the Rector). After the Suppression of the Society of Jesus (1773) he became the right-hand man of the Vicar Czerniewicz, negotiating with him the survival of the Jesuits with Empress Catherina the II of Russia, all the while making sure that the standard of scientific education in Polatsk remained high. To Lenkiewicz, 'quality education' was an absolute necessity if the Society was to survive in Russia.
had given a verbal approval (12 March 1783) of the existence of the Society in Russia. At the Congregation II Lenkiewicz was elected Vicar General (8 October 1785). Much encouraged by the tacit approval of the Pope the Congregation Fathers did much to re-organize the life of the Society in Russia, after the first years of disarray: religious life and commitment, education (implementing the Ratio Studiorum
), formation, admission of ex-Jesuits, etc. The province of White Russia was then numbering 172 Jesuits (95 priests, 23 students, 48 brothers and 6 novices) There were 6 high schools. Polatsk was the center of all Jesuit activities.
expressed support for the Jesuits, a few months after her death, in 1797. The hope of the Society being once again officially recognised was becoming closer to its realisation, when the Duke of Parma
, Italy, asked for some Jesuits to be sent to recommence work in Parma in 1793. Many ex-Jesuits asked to be re-affiliated with the Society in Russia in this period.
The years when Lenkiewicz was Vicar General were characterized by an improved stability in the life of the Jesuits in Russia, and by the renewal of apostolic activities. Young men arrived from all over Western Europe with the desire to join the Jesuits. Spending 30 years in Polatsk in various capacities Lenkiewicz made of it a renowned place, with its scientific laboratory, rich library, museum of natural sciences, and other artistic and religious resources.
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...
was still surviving in Russia
Russia
Russia or , officially known as both Russia and the Russian Federation , is a country in northern Eurasia. It is a federal semi-presidential republic, comprising 83 federal subjects...
.
Early Years and Formation
Of aristocratic PolishPoles
thumb|right|180px|The state flag of [[Poland]] as used by Polish government and diplomatic authoritiesThe Polish people, or Poles , are a nation indigenous to Poland. They are united by the Polish language, which belongs to the historical Lechitic subgroup of West Slavic languages of Central Europe...
-Lithuania
Lithuania
Lithuania , officially the Republic of Lithuania is a country in Northern Europe, the biggest of the three Baltic states. It is situated along the southeastern shore of the Baltic Sea, whereby to the west lie Sweden and Denmark...
n family Lenkiewicz joined the Jesuits after making the 'Humanities'. He did his Philosophy (1748-51) in Belarus, and then studied Mathematics
Mathematics
Mathematics is the study of quantity, space, structure, and change. Mathematicians seek out patterns and formulate new conjectures. Mathematicians resolve the truth or falsity of conjectures by mathematical proofs, which are arguments sufficient to convince other mathematicians of their validity...
, Astronomy
Astronomy
Astronomy is a natural science that deals with the study of celestial objects and phenomena that originate outside the atmosphere of Earth...
and Architecture
Architecture
Architecture is both the process and product of planning, designing and construction. Architectural works, in the material form of buildings, are often perceived as cultural and political symbols and as works of art...
in the academy of Vilnius
Vilnius
Vilnius is the capital of Lithuania, and its largest city, with a population of 560,190 as of 2010. It is the seat of the Vilnius city municipality and of the Vilnius district municipality. It is also the capital of Vilnius County...
(1752-54). This was followed by Theology in Warsaw
Warsaw
Warsaw is the capital and largest city of Poland. It is located on the Vistula River, roughly from the Baltic Sea and from the Carpathian Mountains. Its population in 2010 was estimated at 1,716,855 residents with a greater metropolitan area of 2,631,902 residents, making Warsaw the 10th most...
(1754-58) during which he was ordained priest (1757). After a few years of teaching Mathematics in Warsaw he was sent to Rome (Roman College) for further specialization in Architecture (1762-65).
Career
Back in PolandPoland
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...
he was appointed to teach science at Polatsk
Polatsk
Polotsk , is a historical city in Belarus, situated on the Dvina river. It is the center of Polotsk district in Vitsebsk Voblast. Its population is more than 80,000 people...
(1765-68) but he made himself a name rather as architect of public and ecclesiastical building, including the construction of new premises for the high school of Polatsk (of which Stanislaus Czerniewicz
Stanislaus Czerniewicz
Stanislaw Czerniewicz was was a Polish Jesuit...
was the Rector). After the Suppression of the Society of Jesus (1773) he became the right-hand man of the Vicar Czerniewicz, negotiating with him the survival of the Jesuits with Empress Catherina the II of Russia, all the while making sure that the standard of scientific education in Polatsk remained high. To Lenkiewicz, 'quality education' was an absolute necessity if the Society was to survive in Russia.
Regional (Polish) Congregation II
Lenkiewicz was busy preparing the Regional Congregation called to elect a successor to Stanislaw Czerniewicz (died in 1785) when news reached him that Pope Pius VIPope Pius VI
Pope Pius VI , born Count Giovanni Angelo Braschi, was Pope from 1775 to 1799.-Early years:Braschi was born in Cesena...
had given a verbal approval (12 March 1783) of the existence of the Society in Russia. At the Congregation II Lenkiewicz was elected Vicar General (8 October 1785). Much encouraged by the tacit approval of the Pope the Congregation Fathers did much to re-organize the life of the Society in Russia, after the first years of disarray: religious life and commitment, education (implementing the Ratio Studiorum
Ratio Studiorum
The Ratio Studiorum often designates the document that formally established the globally influential system of Jesuit education in 1599...
), formation, admission of ex-Jesuits, etc. The province of White Russia was then numbering 172 Jesuits (95 priests, 23 students, 48 brothers and 6 novices) There were 6 high schools. Polatsk was the center of all Jesuit activities.
Temporary Vicar General
As Vicar General Lenkiewicz established relations with ex-Jesuits who wanted to rejoin the Society. He developed apostolic activities in the North, but had to struggle to maintain the Society’s independence in the face of interferences of the local bishop. After the death of two strong supporters of the Society in Russia, the local Governor in 1791, and most especially after the death of Empress Catherina the II of Russia in 1796, Lenkiewicz went through tough times. He was heartened however, when her successor Emperor Paul I of RussiaPaul I of Russia
Paul I was the Emperor of Russia between 1796 and 1801. He also was the 72nd Prince and Grand Master of the Order of Malta .-Childhood:...
expressed support for the Jesuits, a few months after her death, in 1797. The hope of the Society being once again officially recognised was becoming closer to its realisation, when the Duke of Parma
Duchy of Parma
The Duchy of Parma was created in 1545 from that part of the Duchy of Milan south of the Po River, as a fief for Pope Paul III's illegitimate son, Pier Luigi Farnese, centered on the city of Parma....
, Italy, asked for some Jesuits to be sent to recommence work in Parma in 1793. Many ex-Jesuits asked to be re-affiliated with the Society in Russia in this period.
The years when Lenkiewicz was Vicar General were characterized by an improved stability in the life of the Jesuits in Russia, and by the renewal of apostolic activities. Young men arrived from all over Western Europe with the desire to join the Jesuits. Spending 30 years in Polatsk in various capacities Lenkiewicz made of it a renowned place, with its scientific laboratory, rich library, museum of natural sciences, and other artistic and religious resources.