Readings in the refectory
Until the Second Vatican Council, it was customary in Jesuit communities to eat in silence while a brother read aloud. How can we find out what readings and announcements the… Read more
Curiosities and news
The life of Jesuits during Lent
How did community life change during Lent? There were several changes affecting both the food served at table and habits in the home. Let us read some passages from historical… Read more
The novices’ magazine
During the war, threatened by bombing, some novices and scholastics started a magazine to cheer up the community. Each issue contained articles, nursery rhymes, puns and illustrations. It was called… Read more
A Jesuit’s day
How was a Jesuit’s day structured in the past? And how has his daily life changed over the centuries? Today, let’s take an imaginary trip to a residence of the… Read more
Reconstructing the history of a residence
Many researchers contact us for information about the presence of Jesuits in certain cities or about specific residences and colleges. Sometimes these houses still exist, with a long history behind… Read more
The apostolate of the Jesuits
What and how many ‘jobs’ does a Jesuit perform? Fathers and brothers carry out various apostolates throughout their religious lives. Today we will look at the sources that help us… Read more
1814: the Restoration of the Society of Jesus
After its suppression, in 1814 Pius VII officially re-established the Society, by the Bull Sollecitudo Omnium. What remains in the archives from those early years? The suppression As researchers of… Read more
The parents of Jesuits
Is it possible to hear the voices of the parents of Jesuits? What did they think of their children’s choice? What documents could allow us to find out? The papers… Read more
The hierarchy in the Society of Jesus
Father General, minister, associate, major superior. Researchers quickly learn that in order to navigate the sources, catalogues and lexicon of the Jesuits, it is essential to understand the hierarchical structure… Read more
Building a school
For a couple of weeks now, at least in Italy, children and young people have been back in the classroom. School is the place we first enter at the age… Read more
Missionary Day
At the colleges of the Society of Jesus, usually in the month of October, students, teachers, and Jesuits were deeply engaged in activities related to Missionary Day. Even the families… Read more
How to identify a Jesuit from photographs
Today, we sit virtually beside the archivist to understand how one can identify a person in a photograph and restore a name to a face. It is not uncommon for… Read more