Anderledy, Anton Maria

ANDERLEDY, ANTON MARIA. - Jesuit, 23rd general of the Society of Jesus, b. at Berisal (Valais) on 3 June 1819, d. at Fiesole on 18 Jan. 1892. A pupil of the Jesuits at the college of Brig, he received the habit in 1838; his frail health and the political conditions of the time forced him, after wandering through various nations, to finally complete his studies at Saint Louis in the United States. After a brief ministry in America, he went to Germany, an effective popular missionary; but soon his gifts destined him for teaching and for positions of authority, until in 1870 he was appointed general assistant for Germany and in 1883 vicar general of Fr. Beckx with the right of succession, which came about in 1887. In the brief period of his office he concerned himself in a special way with the solid formation of his subjects according to the doctrine of St. Thomas and gave new and strong impetus to the scientific and editorial activities of the Order. If the times brought him grave tribulations, the constant favor of Leo XIII, from whom he obtained in 1886 the confirmation of the ancient privileges of the Society, was a relief and comfort to him; and his lively interior spirit united with an indomitable strength of will enabled him to overcome every difficulty, notwithstanding his health, which had become very weak.

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