Pedro de Ribadeneyra’s Vida del P. Ignacio de Loyola (1583) and Literary Culture in Early Modern Spain

Fray Luis de Granada (1504-88) wrote a letter to his friend, Pedro de Ribadeneyra (1526-1611), exalting the latter's literary qualities, including the candor of his prose.1 Writing from Lisbon, the prolific Dominican was moved to write in a spirit of gratitude and admiration after reading Ribadeneyra's Vida del P. Ignacio de Loyola, fundador de la Compañía de Jesus (1583).2In the letter, he expressed the deepest admiration for Ribadeneyra's style and clarity.He also commended his Jesuit counterpart for his balanced account of the origins of the Society of Jesus as well as for his evenhandedness in praising the other religious orders."May the Lord be blessed," Fray Luis exclaimed, "for he guided you in this path, in such an unbending trail, that without envy you praise your order, and without grumbling you magnify the others."He was clearly impressed by Ribadeneyra's ability to demonstrate the uniqueness and distinctiveness of the Society, without casting stones on the other institutes