A Muslim Turned Jesuit: Baldassarre Loyola Mandes (1631-1667)

Abstract

The goal of this article is to show, through a case study of a convert from Islam to Catholicism in the seventeenth century, how multi-faceted and complex the phenomenon of conversion is, where political, social, and religious factors are intertwined. The article recounts the conversion story of Mohammed el-Attaz, later known as Baldassarre Loyola (1631-1667). Son of the king of Fez (Morocco) of the Sa'adian dynasty, Mohammed was captured on his way to Mecca by the Knights of Malta; he converted to Christianity, went to Italy, became a Jesuit, and spent some years of his life converting Muslims in Italian port cities. The story of Baldassarre Loyola is unique for many reasons. First, this is the only known case of a Muslim prince joining the Society of Jesus. Second, we have an extraordinary range of sources: more than 200 letters written by Baldassarre, Christian and Muslim firsthand sources, an unpublished Autobiography, and a 600-page unpublished Life written by Baidassarre's spiritual director, the Jesuit Domenico Brunacci. Additionally, a sacred drama on Baidassarre's story [El gran principe de Fe¿) was composed by Calderón de la Barca and performed in Jesuit colleges in Europe as well as overseas. This case study of a man between two worlds-struggling for a new identity but always linked to his ancient rootsilluminates, through the phenomenon of conversion, the tormented, rich, and fascinating relationship between Islam and Christianity on the eve of modernity.

Del islam al catolicismo: El gran príncipe de Fez dentro de las comedias de conversos de Calderón

“…Calderón toma el protagonista de su comedia de la realidad histórica del momento, pues construye su obra a partir de la conversión al catolicismo del príncipe de Fez Mohammed el-Attaz (Muley Mahomet en el texto de Calderón), quien, camino de La Meca, había sido hecho prisionero por los caballeros de Malta y había pasado cinco años en cautiverio hasta que se pagó su rescate. Sin embargo, tras una aparición milagrosa de la Virgen durante una tormenta al salir de Malta, decide volver y convertirse al cristianismo, y, tras ser bautizado, adopta el nombre de Baltasar de Loyola (Colombo 2013).…”

Our Lady of Victory or Our Lady of Beauty?: The Virgin Mary in Early Modern Dominican and Jesuit Approaches to Islam

“…One important example is Baldassarre Loyola Mandes (1631-67), a Muslim prince from Fez who converted to Christianity and became a Jesuit. 39 In retelling his own conversion story, Mandes describes Mary appearing frequently to him. For example, he claims that it was a vision of Mary that convinced him to join the Society of Jesus over other orders.40 Also, he says that Mary continued to appear to him after he joined the Jesuits, encouraging him to stay the path he had chosen.…”