Ordination as a Jesuit Priest
Poet involved
What happened
In 1580, Robert Southwell was ordained as a Jesuit priest in Rome, marking a significant turning point in his life. This event solidified his commitment to his faith and mission, as he became part of the Society of Jesus, dedicated to the education and spiritual guidance of Catholics in England. His ordination empowered him to engage in clandestine missionary work, which would later inspire much of his poetry, reflecting the struggles and joys of his spiritual journey.
Literary impact
Southwell's ordination infused his poetry with a sense of urgency and devotion, as he sought to articulate the Catholic experience under persecution. His writings from this period often explore themes of martyrdom, faith, and the divine, drawing on his experiences as a Jesuit priest and the challenges faced by Catholics in Elizabethan England.
Source: Wikipedia
