St. Mary's City in St. Mary's County, Maryland — The American Northeast (Mid-Atlantic)
Shock Troops of the Counter-Reformation
Photographed By Devry Becker Jones (CC0), August 30, 2019
At the time of the founding of Maryland, the Jesuits were active in England, where they were under constant threat of arrest and execution. The Society founded universities and colleges on the continent during the 16th and 17th centuries, and provided training to English Catholics. Their mission activities stretched from Europe to China, India, Japan, and throughout the Americas.
In 1773, the Society of Jesus was officially suppressed by the Pope as a result of political intrigue. In 1814, the suppression was lifted and the Jesuits resumed their efforts around the world.
[Timeline:]
1534
Loyola and his Colleagues Found the Idea of the Jesuits
1541
The Pope Officially Recognizes the Jesuits as a Catholic Order
1552
Francis Xavier Dies While Attempting to Reach Mainland China
1568
Construction of the Gesú, Mother Church of the Society, Begins in Rome
1622
Ignatius Loyola and Francis Xavier are Canonized as the First Jesuit Saints
1634
Jesuit Priests, Andrew White and John Altham, Arrive in Maryland. The Society goes on to the Largest Land Owner in the Colony Outside of the Calvert Family
1773
Jesuit Order Suppressed by Pope Clement XIV
1789
John Carroll, Trained as a Jesuit. Becomes the First Roman Catholic Bishop in the United States
1814
Suppression of the Jesuits Revoked by Pope Pius VII
1848
Jesuits Banned from Switzerland—the Ban was not Lifted Until 1973
After 327 Years as the Principal Roman Catholic Clergy, the Jesuits Begin Withdrawing from Southern Maryland
2009
Jesuits Sell 4,500 acres to the State of Maryland to Fund Their Members in Retirement
In 1970, the Vatican canonized 40 individuals to represent the many Roman Catholics who were the victims of religious oppression in England and Wales from 1535 to 1679. Of the forty chosen, one-quarter were members of the Society of Jesus. These included:
Alexander Briant, 1556-1581
Edmund Campion, 1540,1581
Robert Southwell, 1561-1595
Henry Walpole, 1558-1595
Nicholas Owen, 1540-1606
Thomas Garnet, 1575-1608
Edmund Arrowsmith, 1585-1628
Henry Morse, 1595-1644
Philip Evans, 1645-1679
David Lewis, 1616-1679
October 25th is the official feast day.
Erected by Historic St. Mary's City.
Topics. This historical marker is listed in these topic lists: Churches & Religion • Colonial Era • Education. A significant historical date for this entry is August 15, 1534.
Location. 38° 10.994′ N, 76° 25.716′ W. Marker is in St. Mary's City, Maryland, in St. Mary's County. Marker can be reached from Point Lookout Road (Maryland Route 5) 0.4 miles west of Rosecroft Road, on the left when traveling west. Touch for map. Marker is at or near this postal address: 16721 Point Lookout Road, Saint Marys City MD 20686, United States of America. Touch for directions.
Other nearby markers. At least 8 other markers are within walking distance of this marker. Andrew White, Apostle to Maryland (here, next to this marker); "…buried…in a most solemn manner" (here, next to this marker); Project Lead Coffins (here, next to this marker); Putting Together the Pieces (here, next to this marker); The "Priests' House" (here, next to this marker); The Chapel Architecture (here, next to this marker); Sacred Ground and Holy Buildings (here, next to this marker); An End of Freedom but Persistence of Faith (here, next to this marker). Touch for a list and map of all markers in St. Mary's City.
Credits. This page was last revised on August 7, 2021. It was originally submitted on September 2, 2019, by Devry Becker Jones of Washington, District of Columbia. This page has been viewed 511 times since then and 56 times this year. Photo 1. submitted on September 2, 2019, by Devry Becker Jones of Washington, District of Columbia.