Narratives of Adversity: Jesuits on the Eastern Peripheries of the Habsburg Realms (1640-1773) by Paul Shore (review)

A review of Paul Shore's 'Narratives of Adversity: Jesuits on the Eastern Peripheries of the Habsburg Realms (1640-1773)' reveals that Jesuit efforts to revive Catholicism in eastern Slovakia and northeastern Hungary were significantly shaped by political dynamics, state support, and violent repression. The study highlights a pivotal turning point in the 1670s when Habsburg centralization and anti-non-Catholic measures benefited Jesuits, who often served as chaplains for Habsburg armies. Despite their strategic alliance with the state, Jesuits faced persistent opposition from Protestant communities and were eventually expelled after the Rákóczi rebellion (1703–1711). Shore argues that while the Jesuits maintained a narrative of resilience, their mission lacked ambition and creativity in later years, ultimately becoming obsolete due to external pressures. The analysis is based on extensive archival research, including diaries and records from Jesuit residences.

(Ed.). (2013). Narratives of Adversity: Jesuits on the Eastern Peripheries of the Habsburg Realms (1640-1773) by Paul Shore (review). The Catholic Historical Review, 99(3), 568–569. https://doi.org/10.1353/cat.2013.0167