The Religion of the Poor: Rural Missions in Europe and the Formation of Modern Catholicism, c.1500-c.1800

Hardback

Main Details

Title The Religion of the Poor: Rural Missions in Europe and the Formation of Modern Catholicism, c.1500-c.1800
Authors and Contributors      By (author) Louis Chatellier
Translated by Brian Pearce
Physical Properties
Format:Hardback
Pages:262
Dimensions(mm): Height 229,Width 152
Category/GenreChurch history
ISBN/Barcode 9780521562010
ClassificationsDewey:266.24
Audience
Professional & Vocational
Illustrations 16 Maps; 3 Halftones, unspecified

Publishing Details

Publisher Cambridge University Press
Imprint Cambridge University Press
Publication Date 28 August 1997
Publication Country United Kingdom

Description

The Religion of the Poor is an ambitious survey of Catholic missions into the European countryside from 1500 to 1800. The acclaimed French historian Louis Chatellier analyses the impulses to missionary activity at the end of the Middle Ages, and the specific conception of Ignatius Loyola. He then outlines in detail the development of missionary activity after the Council of Trent. In the second part Professor Chatellier discusses the type of religion proffered by the missionaries, examining a variety of key themes in Catholic belief, including the role of deity, of the cross, and of Satan. The book contains a concluding summary of the impact of these rural missions up to the French Revolution, and documents the way in which they changed in reaction to external social and political circumstance.

Reviews

'Chatellier's potent book fills a glaring gap in our understanding of Christian mission ... this book will perform long service as a mine for students and researchers alike.' Journal of Ecclesiastical History