Jesuit missionary work in Portuguese America: the peculiar renaissance, sacramental and tridentine way to salvation in the New World(s)

Abstract

The Society of Jesus was the most representative symbol of transformation and realization of the new practice of catechesis in its missionary work during the early modern age. The transformation was taking place within and from the contrast between Reform and Counter Reformation, establishing similarities and differences of mission between Europe, America and Asia, and finally, in the wake of the echoes of the conciliar decisions of Trent in Lima. From the topics that divide the text, this study retraces - a synthesis inevitably schematic, but open to the prospect of recent research on the subject - such issues: we think they can win expository clarity and consistency, but, above all, an ability of intelligibility of the proposed topics, with a view to a result that is not only an acquisition (always partial), but above all, a new starting point for further investigations on the guidelines outlined.