Historical Archives
The historical memory of the Jesuits in Italy
The Historical Archives of the Jesuit Euro-Mediterranean Province preserve the records of six former Jesuit Provinces, residences, colleges and journals in Italy from 1814 onward.
What instruments did the Jesuit scientist Angelo Secchi use in the astronomical observatory at the Roman College? We are going to find out today thanks to an unpublished document. Recent… Read more
On 20 September 1870, the Papal States fell and, with it, the temporal power of the Pope ended. How was that day experienced by the Jesuits who lived in the… Read more
We are used to covering short and long distances by car, train or plane, means of transport that are now part of our daily lives. How did Jesuits travel to… Read more
This article features the Congregation at Termini Prison; a place that, for Romans and non-Romans alike, corresponds to the central station of the city of Rome, but here, many years… Read more
The care for creation is currently one of the most important themes in the apostolic activity of the Jesuits, but the attention on saving and consumption has always played a… Read more
What duties does a sacristan have? How is an altar decorated? What sacred vestments are used on certain liturgical occasions? These are just some of the questions that can be… Read more
In Rome there was a congregation for every need, every stage of life and every trade, including peasants. Reading the title of today’s article, we might think we are talking… Read more
Today we accompany some novices from the past to the door of the novitiate, to observe together what items they took with them at the beginning of their religious life.… Read more
Most Jesuit aspirants wanted to go on mission, but how many actually became missionaries? Very few, compared to the initial requests, let us read together some stories of vocation and… Read more
Thousands of men throughout the 20th century were able to obtain a degree by attending an institution, the Opera Massaruti, founded by a Jesuit, Fr. Carlo Massaruti. The education of… Read more
We often recount the religious life of Jesuit novices, fathers and brothers after they entered the novitiate, but before they became religious they had been sons, brothers, uncles, affections for… Read more
Today we board a ferry, alongside a young Jesuit on his way to China as a missionary. Letters sent by Fr Vincent Marchi to his family and confreres allow us… Read more
Featured documents
Relics of saints and venerables, distinguished alumni of our colleges, evidence of customs and traditions in other historical periods: here is a selection of interesting documents from our Archives.
