18th-century Italian manuscript, “For those who care for young students."

[Manuscript] / [Education]. Per chi ha cura de Giovani studenti. Per il sacerdote che hà cura de n[ost]ri Giovani Studenti è Novizi, Li quali demorano in M: C: S.l. [Rome]: s.n., s.a. [18th century]. 8vo [20.0 x 12.8 cm], [8] ff., the final leaf blank and the last two leaves unopened. Bound in contemporary cartone, manuscript title on upper cover. Minor edge wear and wrinkling to covers, inner bifolia loose. Neatly written and perfectly legible throughout.
 
 
An unusual 18th-century Italian manuscript handbook, “For those who care for young students,” or more precisely, “For the priest who cares for our young students and novices, who live in M: C:.” The text elsewhere refers to “M. Citorio” and the “Casa de Santi Gio e Paolo.” These are the Roman houses of the Congregazione della Missione, i.e., those of the Casa dei Monte Citorio [or Montecitorio] and the Casa dei SS. Giovanni e Paolo (see L. Mezzadri, p. 78).
 
The manuscript provides specific points both concerning the behavior of the priest in charge and his treatment of students. For example, at dinner he should not drink too much wine, talk impertinently, discuss the news, or become too familiar with the students, and that he should note which students loiter or waste time. From time to time he should visit their rooms, help them with various strategies for study, promote good behavior, cleanliness, proper comportment, etc.
 
The manuscript concludes with a list of roles that might be assigned to individual students, including an assistant to the librarian, assistant to the cantor, custodians of the common room, of windows, of lamps, etc.
 
The Congregation of the Mission, also known as the Vincentians or the Lazarists, were founded in 1625 in Paris by Saint Vincent de Paul (1581-1660). They devoted themselves to preaching missions to the rural population, the direction of seminaries, the support of foreign missions, and the education of young students.
 
 
*L. Mezzadri, “Gallicanesimo e vita religiosa: La Congregazione della Missione e la crisi della nazionalità (1697-1711),” Divus Thomas, vol. 76, nos. 1/2 (1973), pp. 65-109; L. Mezzadri, et al., eds., The Vincentians: A General History of the Congregation of the Mission.