Traditions of Eloquence: The Jesuits and Modern Rhetorical Studies
Contents
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Who Are the Jesuits? Who Are the Jesuits?
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Contradictions and Complexities Contradictions and Complexities
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Preaching and Devotional Practices Preaching and Devotional Practices
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Missionary Rhetoric: Accommodation and Exchange Missionary Rhetoric: Accommodation and Exchange
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Sources and Signatures of Jesuit Rhetorical Education Sources and Signatures of Jesuit Rhetorical Education
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Jesuit Colleges as Cultural Centers Jesuit Colleges as Cultural Centers
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Jesuit Education Under Attack Jesuit Education Under Attack
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Jesuit Education Restored Jesuit Education Restored
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Jesuit Invisibility in Rhetoric and Composition Studies Jesuit Invisibility in Rhetoric and Composition Studies
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Changes in American Higher Education Changes in American Higher Education
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The Revival of Rhetoric The Revival of Rhetoric
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Description of the Collection Description of the Collection
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An Unfinished Task An Unfinished Task
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Notes Notes
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Works Cited Works Cited
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What We Talk about When We Talk about Voice: Reintegrating the Oral in the Current Writing Classroom
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Introduction: The Jesuits and Rhetorical Studies—Looking Backward, Moving Forward
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Published:15 December 2015
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Abstract
This introductory chapter examines the Jesuits' rhetorical tradition, showing how their global influence originates in sixteenth-century educational and missionary practices and continues in American higher education. It presents Jesuit rhetoric as a dynamic system rooted in eloquentia perfecta, blending knowledge, virtue, and expressive skill, and stresses the capacity to adapt across cultures, disciplines, and historical periods. The chapter explores how Jesuits use rhetoric in spiritual, civic, and pedagogical settings, maintaining intellectual authority while navigating controversy. It draws attention to how Jesuit-trained educators and institutions shape contemporary studies in rhetoric, writing, and communication, despite their frequent exclusion from mainstream scholarship. Finally, the chapter argues that Jesuit rhetorical principles—grounded in integrative, mission-driven pedagogy—remain vital to addressing the complex educational needs of the twenty-first century.
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