Gabriel Lenkiewicz (15 March 1722, Polatsk, Belarus - 21 Novembre 1798, Polatsk, Belarus) was temporary Vicar General of the Society of Jesus from 1785 until 1798, at a time when, being suppressed in all Catholic countries, the Society of Jesus was still surviving in Russia.
Early Years and Formation
Of aristocratic Lithuanian family Lenkiewicz joined the Jesuits after making the 'Humanities'. He did his Philosophy (1748-51) in Belarus, and then studied Mathematics, Astronomy and Architecture in the academy of Vilnius (1752-54). This was followed by Theology in Warsaw (1754-58) during which he was ordained priest (1757). After a few years of teaching Mathematics in Warsaw he was sent to Rome (Roman College) for further specialization in Architecture (1762-65).
Career
Back in Poland he was appointed to teach science at Polatsk (1765-68) but he made himself a name rather as architect of public and ecclesiastical building, including the construction of new premises for the high school of Polatsk (of which Stanislaus Czerniewicz was the Rector). After the Suppression of the Society of Jesus (1773) he became the right-hand man of the Vicar Czerniewicz, negotiating with him the survival of the Jesuits with Empress Catherina the II of Russia, all the while making sure that the standard of scientific education in Polatsk remains high: 'quality education' was an absolute necessity if the Society wanted to survive in Russia…
Regional (Polish) Congregation II
Lenkiewicz was busy preparing the Regional Congregation called to elect a successor to Stanislaw Czerniewicz (died in 1785) when news reached him that Pope Pius VI had given a verbal approval (12 March 1783) of the existence of the Society in Russia. At the Congregation II Lenkiewicz was elected Vicar General (8 October 1785). Much encouraged by the tacit approval of the Pope the Congregation Fathers did much to re-organize the life of the Society in Russia, after the first years of disarray: religious life and commitment, education (implementing the Ratio Studiorum), formation, admission of ex-Jesuits, etc. The province of White Russia was then numbering 172 Jesuits (95 priests, 23 students, 48 brothers and 6 novices) There were 6 high schools. Polatsk was the center of all Jesuit activities.
Temporary Vicar General
As Vicar General Lenkiewicz established relations with ex-Jesuits who wanted to rejoin the Society. He developed apostolic activities in the North, but had to struggle to maintain the Society’s independence in the face of interferences of the local bishop. After the dead of the local Governor (1791) and even more after the dead of Catherina II (1796), who both had been staunch protectors of the Society, there were moments of anxiety, even though her successor Emperor Paul I expressed support for the Jesuits (1797). Hope was rising however of having the Society recognized in the Duchy of Parma in Italy, whose ruler had asked that some Jesuits be sent him from Russia (1793). Groups of ex-Jesuits were asking to be affiliated to the Society in Russia. The years of Lenkiewicz as Vicar General are characterized by more stability in the life of the Jesuits, and renewal of apostolic activities. Young men were beginning to arrive from all over Western Europe with the desire to join the Jesuits. Spending 30 years in Polatsk in various capacities Lenkiewicz made of it a renowned place, with its scientific laboratory, rich library, museum of natural sciences, and other artistic and religious activities.
References
- INGLOT, M., La Compagnia di Gesù nell'Impero Russo (1772-1820), Roma, 1997.
- ZALENSKI, S., Les Jésuites de la Russie Blanche, (2 vol.), Paris, 1886.