Jesuits celebrate 200th anniversary of re-establishment in U.S.

Published: 2005-09-01

PORT TOBACCO, Md. (CNS) -- Jesuits from the Maryland province celebrated the 200th anniversary of the restoration of the Jesuit order in the U.S. following a 30-year period of suppression during an Aug. 27 anniversary Mass at St. Ignatius Church in Port Tobacco. The church is the site where three priests professed their vows as Jesuits Aug. 18, 1805. "We come together today not only to honor the restoration of the society in the United States and the profession of vows of our forebears, but also to re-found the Society today," said Jesuit Father Timothy Brown, provincial of the Jesuits' Maryland province and principal celebrant and homilist at the Mass. A brief history of the restoration, written by Jesuit Father John LaMartina, resident archivist for the Maryland province, notes that Pope Clement XIV wrote the Brief of Suppression in 1773 after being pressured by Catholic rulers who feared the growing popularity and power of the Jesuits.

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