Historical directory of Hungarian, Hungarian-descended, and Hungarian-speaking clergy serving abroad

Asperger Zsigmond SJ

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Deceased

Birth data:: 1667 circa
Death data:: 1772 circa
Denomination:: Roman Catholic
Ecclesiastical status:: religious
Diocese / Order:: jezsuita (Societas Jesu)

Ordination level:: priest
Perpetual vows:: ismeretlen
Priestly ordination:: ismeretlen
Other name used:: Aperger Zsigmond

Biographical data

Zsigmond Asperger (also spelled Aperger or Aspergher in some sources) was likely born around 1667, though sources differ significantly regarding his year of birth and exact origins. Some authors describe him as an Austrian Jesuit, while others refer to him as a Hungarian Jesuit. His father is described as a banker in Vienna, yet he completed his studies at schools in Hungary. He likely entered the Jesuit Order around 1705 or 1715.

In addition to his priestly ministry, he also practiced medicine. He arrived in South America around 1717, where he worked in Buenos Aires and Córdoba, and later served in the Jesuit missions in Paraguay. In the world of the Jesuit reductions, he became known primarily as a physician and healthcare professional.

He also participated in the fight against the plague epidemic around 1730, which brought him fame in many regions of the continent. He is regarded as one of the key figures in the medical knowledge of the South American Jesuit missions.

He is associated with the “Códice Misionero,” a missionary manuscript containing medical prescriptions and healing procedures.

The date of his death is also uncertain; according to some sources, he died around 1772.

Foreign service locations

From	To	Place	Current name, country	Church / institution	Position
1717	1772	Argentina			Buenos Aires and Córdoba, where he worked as a university professor and doctor, and later served at the Loretto Mission in Paraguay.

Literary activity

Códice Misionero – orvosi receptek

Life timeline

Birth

1667

Service abroad

1717 – 1772

Argentina

Buenos Aires and Córdoba, where he worked as a university professor and doctor, and later served at the Loretto Mission in Paraguay.

Death

1772

Sources

https://latam.kormany.hu/asperger-zsigmond✓
Szabó Henriette Éva: Asperger Zsigmond (1667/1668–1772) ellentmondásos alakja, MEV 2015/1-2., 5-18.;
Miklósházy:2001

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Citation for this entry

Asperger Zsigmond SJ: personal record. In: Historical directory of Hungarian, Hungarian-descended, and Hungarian-speaking clergy serving abroad. Available at: https://www.diaszporalelkipasztorok.hu/persons_v2/view.php?id=18 (accessed: 2026-07-07).

Last modified: May 6, 2026 14:46 | Opened: 89 times