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  • Essay / Jesuits in North America - 2920

    Jesuits in North AmericaThe Society of Jesus is a Catholic order that still does good work today around the world. In the Age of Encounters, particularly during the colonization of the Americas, the Society of Jesus, also known as the Jesuits, played an important role in documenting Native Americans, converting them, and helping them adapt to their new and evolving environment. The practice of first establishing respect, then influence, and finally working toward religious conversion, proved effective in converting North American Native Americans. Their extensive ethnographic documentation as well as their daily letters have proven useful to researchers trying to understand early encounters between Native Americans and the French in North America. The Society of Jesus was first established in France by Ignatius of Loyola in 1534. Ignatius was a soldier in the Spanish army and saw action when King Francis I of France invaded Spain in 1521 and the May 20, he was injured when a cannonball hit his right leg, which would leave him forever lame. His recovery at Loyola Castle, however, will lead Ignatius to a conversion of soul. John W. O'Malley, author of The First Jesuits, explains Ignatius of Loyola's transformation in the castle: “He found none of the tales of chivalry that he loved to read. In desperation, he turned to the only literature available: the lives of the saints in The Golden Legend of Jacopo da Voragine and the Life of Christ by Ludolph of Saxony” (O'Malley, 24). Yet, according to O'Malley, he considered a return to service even while limping. However, when entertaining the idea that he was left "dry and restless in spirit", O'Malley again: "He gradually came to the conclusion that God was... middle of paper .... .. but if you entrust me with this important matter, I promise you a favorable result. Here's how to do it. You must first gather everyone, then, presenting three fathoms of Wampum, one for each of our families, you will tell us with each of these gifts what is in your heart (Jesuit Relations, 143). The text illuminates how through force and the use of intimidation Pierron succeeded in converting the Mohawks. Unlike his predecessors, he was short-tempered and did not respect the wishes of society, which led to confrontation. This type of conversion could not have benefited the Society because it converted people not of their own free will but out of terror and fear of genocide. Finally Pierron did not follow the doctrine of Polanco and its flexibility and mediocrity. And even if this mission cannot be considered a total failure……