Father Félix Zabala, musicologist of the Loyola Province, has published a 605-page book on Jesuit deeply involved in music. The fruit of 12 years of investigation, the book presents names, country of origin and a brief biography of 630 Jesuits from 48 countries who were musicologists, choir directors, composers and music critics. These facts do not match the prevailing prejudices about the Jesuits’ lack of interest or corporate disdain for music. He even dedicates a chapter to “Saint Ignatius and music.” The idea for the project began someone talked to Zabala about the “musical desert in the Society of Jesus” or those who repeat “Gesuita non cantat.” Father Zabala embarked upon a research to refute that prejudice. Músicos jesuitas a lo largo de la historia, published by Mensajer, 2008. Price: € 35.

The book on Father Arrupe edited by Gianni La Bella, originally published in Italian and Spanish, has been translated recently into German and English:

Pedro Arrupe Generalloberer der Jesuiten: Neue biographische Perspektiven, edited by Gianni La Bella and Martin Maier: 608 pages. Published by Herder, 2008.

Pedro Arrupe Superior General of the Society of Jesus: New Contributions for his Biography. Prologue by Father Adolfo Nicolás. Translated by Michael Campbell-Johnston and others. Published by Gujarat Sahitya Prakash, India, 2008. 362 pages and a CD containing 18 chapters of the original which do not appear in printed form. Price: € 25.