1-Jan 1598

Fr. Alphonsus Barrena, surnamed the Apostle of Peru, died. He was the first to carry the faith to Guaranis and Chiquitos in Paraguay.

2-Jan 1619

At Rome, John Berchmans entered the Roman College.

5-Jan 1548

Francis Suarez, one of the greatest theologians of the church, was born at Granada.

6-Jan 1581

Queen Elizabeth signed the fifth Penal Statute in England inflicting heavy fines and imprisonment on all who harbored Jesuits and Seminary priests.

7-Jan 1566

Cardinal Ghisieri was elected pope as Pius V. He was a great friend of Francis Borgia and appointed Salmeron and Toletus as apostolic preachers at the Vatican.

11-Jan 1582

At Rome, Cardinal Guastavillani laid the foundation stone of the new building that would become the Roman College.

15-Jan 1551

Francis Borgia wrote to the Emperor Charles V announcing his intention to enter the Society of Jesus and asking leave to resign his dukedom in favor of his eldest son, the Marquis d Lombay.

16-Jan 1860

At Calcutta, Belgian Jesuits opened St. Xavier’s College.

19-Jan 1565

James Lainez died in Rome. He was the second General of the Society of Jesus and the Pope's theologian at the Council of Trent.

24-Jan 1679

The martyrdom in London of William Ireland, procurator for the English Jesuits, falsely accused of plotting to kill the king.

25-Jan 1540

The birth of Edmund Campion.

27-Jan 1829

The death of Luigi Fortis, the 20th General of the Society of Jesus, who led the reconstruction of the Society when it was restored after the Suppression.

30-Jan 1551

Ignatius of Loyola wrote a letter to Jesuits offering to resign as General because of ill health.

31-Jan 1615

The death of Claudio Aquaviva, the fifth General of the Society, who governed for 34 years, the longest term of office of any Jesuit general.