Scholars from the University of Coimbra found important pieces that may offer a new insight into the history of the Society of Jesus in Portugal.

During the restoration works in the main building of Coimbra’s Cathedral (a former Jesuit church), letters and writings belonging to the community of the former college were found hidden in the left altar, devoted to the coronation of Our Lady. All the pieces pertained to father António de Vasconcelos, who hid them before being arrested and exiled by Marquês de Pombal.

After the suppression of the Order, the memory of the Society in Portugal was erased and a public hate campaign took place. Margarida Miranda, one of the scholars involved, believes that this is an opportunity to “tell History from the point of view of the defeated rather than the powerful”.

The findings are now being studied, but we know they include foundational letters written by fathers Ignatius, Xavier and Polanco; manuscripts of father António Vieira, known preacher and advocate for the rights of the slaves in Brazil; philosophy works by father Francisco Soares Lusitano and detailed accounts on the daily life under persecution, as well as personal correspondence of said father António Vasconcelos.

All the pieces are well preserved. In September 2017 they will be scanned and then made available online at Cesareia’s Portal.