“WITHOUT EDUCATION, THERE’S NO MISSION”: the Introduction of the Jesuit Formation in Maranhão and Grão-Pará (17th Century)

Abstract

Abstract: In  1671,  the  Jesuit  houses  in São  Luís  and  Belém  were  declared  colleges.  This  simple  act contributed  to  consolidate  the  young  Mission  of  Maranhão.  Poorly  contemplated  by  historiography,  the deployment  of  all  stages  of  the  Ignatian  education  system  played  a  key  role  within  the  context  of  the formation of colonial society in  the Amazon Region. Educating young candidates from the humanities up to  theology  was,  in  the  design  of  the  Jesuit  order,  one  of  the  pillars  to  ensure  the  adaptation  of  future missionaries  and  to  better  root  its  social religious  project.  This  article  intends  to  retrace  this  slow  and complex process throughout the second half of the 17th century, considering both the internal dissensions of the Society of Jesus as the impacts of the constant conflicts between settlers and religious concerning the Indian neophytes.

Keywords: Jesuits. Amazon Region. Education. Colleges.