'Spiritual Infirmity': The Memoriale of St Peter Faber

O

n the 475th anniversary of his death, we honor St Peter Faber (French: Pierre Lefevre or Favre), who, in the estimation of St Ignatius, was the best giver of the Spiritual Exercises despite his 'spiritual infirmity'. He gave the Spiritual Exercises to many people—bishops and canons, his landlord, the parish priest Konrad of St Christopher, who converted from living in concubinage and became a Carthusian monk. He recruited many young men to the Jesuits, among them Peter Canisius whom he first met in Mainz. Canisius had come on recommendation of Alvaro Alfonso, the former court chaplain of Spain. After giving the Spiritual Exercises to him, he decided to become a member of the Society of Jesus and the future St Peter Canisius, a Doctor of the Church for his heroic defense of Catholic faith.

Peter Faber suffered from depression and anxiety. He kept a diary of his spiritual life aka Memoriale that he started writing from 15 June 1542 to July 1543. Additional entries were written in 1545 and a final brief entry in January 1546. This Memoriale is a treasure trove into the interior life of this 16th century man who felt within himself quite different and opposite movements. His protégé, St Peter Canisius, is supposed to have said about his revered Father Faber: “God preserve us from the bad spirit which has plagued Father Faber so much.” Peter Faber writes on 29 November 1542: “With the peculiar longing for a special insight into the ‘crawling gear’ (if I may say so ) and my depressed spirit I begged for the grace of spiritual uplifting: that my soul would no longer remain in the depth of ‘spiritual infirmity’ and ‘be bent down’ by the lowest of things, but be freed by the grace of Jesus Christ and be able to look forever heavenward (Lk 13:11)” (No 184).

On 26 March 1543 the note in his diary describes anew this dismal frame of mind: “On Easter Monday, after Matins, I fell back into my old habit–a depression which has three reasons: first, because I feel not the wished for signs of love of God within myself; second, I feel more than ever the old Adam at work within myself; third, I cannot produce the longed for fruit of the salvation for others. These three points sum about up all the troubles of my mind so that I am inclined to recognise in this my cross” (No 277). Faber agonized from inner spiritual discord, having to face inclinations, "to observe the failures of others, to suspect and condemn them" (No 11). He was buffeted by innumerable scruples and impure thoughts. It was a troubled era of the church when, perhaps, he exaggeratedly felt responsible—coupled by a strong inferiority complex. Thanks to Ignatius who became a stabilising influence on Faber. He encouraged him to make a general confession with Dr Castro, he introduced him to weekly confession and communion, (a good oversee-able religious practice), he taught him the examination of conscience (GE 24-43). In retrospect Faber describes these “lessons for life,” which he had received from St Ignatius.

In studying the Memoriale an inward path can be noticed during the period from late summer 1542 until May 1543. Despite periods of melancholy, there were some outstanding periods whereby he spoke more and more about having “spiritual perception” which he calls devotion. He wrote on this deep spiritual insight on 12 August 1542 as “an immediate knowledge with the loving understanding of the divine—especially of God the Lord himself and the free gifts of his goodness, which make man pleasing to his creator...” (No 81).

He was an itinerant preacher and spiritual director who travelled through France, then Switzerland, where he celebrated Holy Week in Solothurn and arrived in mid April 1542 in Speyer. He travelled almost always by foot. From this time onward, dated 15 June 1542, he began the records of the Memoriale. The day after his arrival he started to give retreats: to his two Spanish court chaplains, the vicar general of Speyer, Georg Musbach, the dome choir master and subsequent Cardinal Otto Truchsess. But because he was called to the Council of Trent by Pope Paul III to act as a peritus (expert) on behalf of the Holy See he had to break off giving the Spiritual Exercises. Faber was well versed in creating a network of pastoral connections with people in public service, priests, even with the Augustinian prior Michael Diller. Because of this he is hailed as patron saint of entrepreneurs. In April 1546, he left Spain to attend the Council that was at that period debating on the Church's doctrines on original sin and justification. He reached Rome on 17 July 1546 but greatly weakened by fever. He died on August 1, 1546, reportedly in the arms of Ignatius, his friend, spiritual master and mentor.

Fr JM Manzano SJ