Abstract
This article addresses the fluctuations in the annual numbers of candidates accepted into the noviciate of the Fatebenefratelli, the numbers of novices who took vows, and those who withdrew from the noviciate by their own choice or were rejected; the age structure of novices, their geographical and social origins. The main sources for the study of the personal make-up of the Vilnius Fatebenefratelli (Ordo S. Joannis de Deo) are two books of novices (libri novitiorum) (1678‒1725, 1761‒1823) that supply the relevant personal information on 243 novices. The analysis revealed that 51% of the novices had successfully completed the noviciate, while others resigned by their own will or were rejected. Most candidates were aged between 18 and 37; however, the order’s internal structure and the short formation of novices allowed to accept older candidates. Most novices originated from the Grand Duchy of Lithuania, and mainly from the Vilnius, Navahrudak, Trakai palatinates and Samogitia. Most probably, this reflected the general trends of immigration to Vilnius as well as the lack of opportunities for religious vocations in Samogitia. The geographical origins of novices also show that candidates came from mainly rural localities, whereas only 30 originated from cities (including Vilnius) and towns. The sources do not adequately reveal the social origins of novices, and only sporadic mentions reveal some candidates to have come either from the nobility, towns- and tradespeople, or other groups. Nonetheless, considering their geographical origins and material status, it could be assumed that the majority of novices were of non-noble birth and originated from rural strata.
Highlights
This article addresses the fluctuations in the annual numbers of candidates accepted into the noviciate of the Fatebenefratelli, the numbers of novices who took vows, and those who withdrew from the noviciate by their own choice or were rejected; the age structure of novices, their geographical and social origins
The analysis revealed that 51% of the novices had successfully completed the noviciate, while others resigned by their own will or were rejected
Most novices originated from the Grand Duchy of Lithuania, and mainly from the Vilnius, Navahrudak, Trakai palatinates and Samogitia
Summary
Vilniaus bonifratrų personalinė sudėtis XVII amžiaus antroje pusėje‒XVIII amžiuje. Pagrindinis šaltinis, įgalinantis nuosekliai tyrinėti Vilniaus bonifratrų personalinę sudėtį, ‒ gerai išlikusios konvento įvilktuvių knygos (libri novitiorum), apimančios 1678‒172515 ir 1761‒1823 m.16. Kaip parodė Jovaišos tyrimas, negausiai išlikusios LDK veikusių vienuolijų įvilktuvių knygos yra vienas iš informatyviausių šaltinių, leidžiančių tyrinėti vienuolių personalinę istoriją. Vilniaus bonifratrų personalinė sudėtis XVII amžiaus antroje pusėje‒XVIII amžiuje atleidimo datos, suteikto vienuolinio vardo, taip pat nurodoma stojančiojo į vienuoliją geografinė ir (rečiau) socialinė kilmė, tėvų vardai, amžius, apibūdinama drabužių būklė, išvardijami turimi daiktai, kartais pažymima, kuo individas vertėsi iki vienuolystės (in saeculo). Bonifratrų personalinė sudėtis tiriama kiekybiniais aspektais ‒ į noviciatą priimtų kandidatų ir įžadus davusių vienuolių skaičius, naujokų amžius. Visgi bonifratrų konventų bendruomenės buvo nedidelės, jas dažniausiai sudarydavo nuo keturių iki dešimties brolių (arba iki 30 vienuolių visuose konventuose LDK), todėl toks kandidatų skaičius, panašu, visiškai atliepė ordino poreikius. Į Vilniaus bonifratrų noviciatą priimtų naujokų, įžadus davusių vienuolių ir noviciato nebaigusių naujokų skaičius (1678‒1725, 1761‒1795 m.)
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