Bahia Province of Society of Jesus

Our History

Among the many beaches that surround the city of Salvador, in Bahia, a certain one stands out, no so much for its extension, because it is quite small, above all however for its historical importance. It is the beach of Porto da Barra. There on March 29, 1549 disembarked the founder of the city, Tomé de Souza, the first General Governor of Brazil. He was accompanied on this expedition by six companions of St. Ignatius of Loyola, who were the first Jesuits to arrive in the lands of the Americas. They were Fathers Manoel da Nóbrega (Superior), Leonardo Nunes, Antônio Pires João de Azpilcueta Navarro, and Brothers Vicente Rodrigues, and Diogo Jâcome. The Society of Jesus only eight years before was approved by Pope Paul III. Nóbrega and his companions by stepping for the first time upon that soil were beginning an enterprise that soon would extend both to the South and the North. They established themselves among the people of the Atlantic coast, later also in the interior, with the mark of their multiform presence.

Four years after Tomé de Souza founded the city of Salvador, Brother José de Anchieta disembarked near Ribeira das Naus on June 13, 1553. In beginnings of October in company of Leonardo Nunes he sails for the South. Twelve years later he returns to Salvador to prepare for the priesthood. He became the founder and defender of the city of São Paulo, and one of the most prominent collaborator in the first foundation of Rio de Janeiro, bringing the experience of catechesist to the natives and the coexistence of the Mamelucos and the European "settlers." In June of 1566 he is ordained a priest. During almost eleven years he was the Provincial of Brazil. His last visit to Bahia occurred in 1592.

From 1652 to 1661 stands out the missionary and eloquent figure of Father Antônio Vieira who worked in Grão Pará, Maranhão, Pará and the Amazonian. From 1661 to 1681 he was condemned by the inquisition. And from 1681 to 1697 he passes his last years in Bahia, in the school community, working in its works and for three years he occupies the position of General Visitor of Brazil and Maranhão.

On July 21, 1773 Pope Clement XIV signed the papal brief Dominus ac Redemptor that suppressed the Society of Jesus. On August 7, 1814, Pope Pius VII made official the restoration of the Society with the papal Bull Solicitudo
onminim ecclesiarum.