Scriptural Echoes and Allusions in the 1726 Constitutions and Rules of the Beatas de la Compañía de Jesus

Abstract

The 1726 Constitutions and Rules of the Beatas de la Compañía de Jesus, contain some words and turns of phrases that echo or allude to the Scriptures, particularly the New Testament. This does not mean that the beatas had a copy of the Scriptures. Considering that the beatas had no direct access to the Bible, the presence of the biblical allusions in the 1726 Constitutions attest to the appropriation of Scriptures through other means such as the liturgy and the homilies of the priests, the prayers, the sacraments and devotions and in particular the Spiritual Exercises of St. Ignatius. The Scriptural allusions also attest that their way of life had been based and influenced by the Scriptures. This paper will present the Scriptural echoes and allusions in the 1726 Constitutions and Rules, showing that the beatas were not deprived of the Word of God, even if they did not have direct access to the Bible. It will also illustrate examples of the use of intertextual method in the comparison of the Rules and the scriptures.