The Council of Trent met multiple times between 1545-1563 to respond to the Protestant Reformation and clarify Catholic doctrine. It affirmed Scripture and Tradition as equally authoritative, salvation through faith and works, and the need for clergy reform. New religious orders like the Jesuits and communities focused on education, charity, and mysticism emerged and helped strengthen and spread the Catholic faith. Important early American Catholic figures established Catholic institutions in the U.S. during this period of growth.

1. Church Reform & Religious Communities

2. Council of Trent
 1545-1547; 1551-1552; 1562-1563
 Paul III; Julius III; Pius IV
 Lutheran split 1530; Anglican split 1534
 Respond to Reformers, clarify doctrine,
strengthen church from within, enhance
uniformity and appeal
 Anathema sit … Let him be condemned!

3. Walls, yes … bridges, no

4. Response to Reformers
 Sola Scriptura
 Scripture AND Tradition
 Church alone can interpret scripture
 Latin Vulgate is the ideal translation
 “And for anyone who says scripture and
tradition are not equal, let him be
anathema.”

5. Justification/Salvation
 Salvation Through Grace By Faith
 Without grace, we are doomed …
○ BUT … we must cooperate with grace
○ Grace is only the beginning
 Devotions and good works affirmed, but
abuses (like selling indulgences) stopped
 Faith AND works

6. Priesthood of All Believers
 Hierarchy still stands
 The “character” of orders is indelible
(permanent, unchangeable, inerasable)
 However … the clergy needs reform
 Seminary in every diocese
 Bishops must live in diocese
 Priests and bishops must preach
 Priestly celibacy

7. Other Results
 Publications
 Catechism
 Breviary
 Missal
 Index of Forbidden Books
 New religious orders; reform within others
 Bulk of the changes/teachings/publications
hold solid until 1960s, with Vatican II

9. Society of Jesus (Jesuits)
 Ignatius of Loyola (1491-1556)
 Injured as soldier  Soldier for Christ
 Military background  chain of command
 Fourth Vow– absolute personal obedience to
Pope
 “The Spiritual Exercises”
 Intellectuals, theologians, missionaries
 Practical, this-world … not withdrawal, sacrifice
 Task for “soldiers”: Combat Protestantism

10. Spiritual/Mystics
 Teresa of Avila (1515-1582)
 Doctor of the Church
 “The Interior Castle”
 Discalced Carmelites
 John of the Cross

11. Vincentians/Charitys
 Vincent de Paul (1581-1660)
 Focus on the poor; preach to, teach
commoners
 Louise de Marillac  Daughters of
Charity
 Bypass cloister rules by taking private
annual vows

12. Christian Brothers
 John Baptist de La Salle (1652-1719)
 Educate poor children  escape poverty,
crime
 Began classroom teaching (not private
tutors)
 Considered a founder of modern education

14. John Carroll
 1735-1815; elected bishop in 1789
(American Catholics feared foreign
bishop)
 Balanced democracy with Vatican
loyalty
 Began St. Mary’s Seminary (Baltimore),
Georgetown College (DC), dioceses
 1790 – 30,000 American Catholics
1815 – 200,000 American Catholics

15. Elizabeth Ann Seton
 1774-1821
 First American-born saint (canonized
1975)
 Convert; began Baltimore school
 Sisters of Charity (Emmitsburg) – first
religious order begun in the U.S.
 Credited with beginning the parochial
school system

16. Others
 Women’s Orders
 Philippine Duchesne – Religious of Sacred
Heart
 Cornelia Connelly – began Society of Holy Child
 Katharine Drexel – Blessed Sacrament sisters,
helping poor blacks & Indians
 Rose Hawthorne Lathrop – help incurable
cancer
 Colleges/Universities
 Notre Dame (Holy Cross fathers); St. John’s
(Benedictines); St. Mary’s, Texas (Marianists)