A letter written by St Edmund Campion SJ, the final vows of poet Gerard Manley Hopkins SJ and rare material documenting Jesuit life during the Second World War will be among the items on display when Heythrop Library and the British Jesuit Archives open their doors to the public on Wednesday 7 October between 10.30am to 4.30pm at 114 Mount Street, London W1K 3AH
The joint Open Day at 114 Mount Street will offer visitors a rare opportunity to explore the collections and discover centuries of Jesuit history, scholarship and life. Librarians and archivists will be on hand throughout the day to introduce some of the items and the stories behind them.
Clemens Gresser, Librarian at Heythrop Library, said: “There will be many fascinating things to see, including The Autograph Copy of the Spiritual Exercises, a remarkable modern book that lies at the heart of how Jesuits have understood spiritual discernment and direction for over 450 years. Published in 2022, it places a facsimile of the earliest surviving version of Ignatius of Loyola’s text alongside a modern transcription. Our display will explore how the Spiritual Exercises remain relevant today and have inspired different forms of person-centred spiritual direction.”
Rebecca Somerset, Head of the British Jesuit Archives, said: “This is a rare opportunity to see a fascinating selection of archival material, ranging from a letter written by Edmund Campion SJ and the final vows signed by Gerard Manley Hopkins SJ to artwork by Peter Knott SJ and an illuminated manuscript gifted to Farm Street Church. These are just some of the highlights of an exhibition bringing together a wealth of remarkable material from the Jesuit archives.
“Additionally, and perhaps unsurprisingly given our recent book The Second World War through Jesuit Archives: The Case of Europe (1939–1945), we will also be displaying original material discussed in the book, including the war medals awarded to Richard Worsley SJ for his service as a chaplain. Together, these unique and rarely seen items offer visitors an opportunity to discover fascinating stories from the history of the Jesuits and their communities.”
As well as viewing the displays, visitors will be able to see the Library and Archives reading rooms, learn more about the collections, enquire about Heythrop Library membership and discover how to conduct research using the British Jesuit Archives.
The joint Open Day takes place from 10.30am to 4.30pm on Wednesday 7 October at 114 Mount Street, London W1K 3AH. The event is free and open to everyone, with no booking required.
