Satellitium

Animae sanctae aeterna regna cum triumpho ingredientis beatum satellitium, operum bonorum exercitus, ad nobilissimum D. Laurentium de Geer Amsterdamensem chari genitoris sui, Magnifici et Strenui viri, D.D. Ludovici de Geer senioris, haereditarii in Finspong, obitum et ad beatos abitum, una cum praenobili fratrum, sororum, affinium et agnatorum turba pie lugentem

The blessed retinue of the Holy Spirit on its victorious procession to the eternal kingdom, the host of good deeds; to the most noble Lawrence de Geer in Amsterdam, who devoutly mourns with his most noble circle of brothers, sisters and brothers in law for the death and departure into blessedness of his dear father, the magnificent and strong in faith Louis de Geer, hereditary Lord of Finspong

Origin of the work:
1653 Sárospatak

Editions:
1653 Sárospatak

1657 Amsterdam, Opera didactica omnia III

1957 Prague, Opera didactica omnia III (phototype edition)

Contents:

Comenius’ eulogy in memoriam Louis de Geer. A short genealogy of the de Geer family is attached.

Louis de Geer, who had been a great patron of Comenius’, died in 1652. Comenius, then working on the reform of the school system in Hungary, held a memorial service in de Geer’s honour at Sárospatak in 1653, attended by the local nobility, the clergy and the whole of the Sárospatak school. It was on this occasion that this eulogy was read; it begins with a consideration of the sadness brought about by the news of the death of the departed, who given his good deeds must certainly expect a reward in Heaven. Examples of his generosity are presented by Comenius in sixteen paragraphs, and include his support for the students from among the Brethren. In closing, Comenius imparts God’s blessing on the descendents of the deceased. Some of the print run was sent to Holland, from whence came the thanks of Lawrence de Greer, the dead man’s son, along with a promise of continuing support. The letter also included an enquiry into how far Comenius’ work on pansophy had progressed.

For further study, see also:

J. V. Novák & J. Hendrich, Jan Amos Komenský, jeho život a spisy. Prague 1932, pp474-475