Jesuit education in the Polish-Lithuanian commonwealth (1565-1773)

This article examines the impact of the Jesuit educational system on the culture of the multi-religious and multi-ethnic federation, through four problems. The first part of the paper presents the beginnings and development of the educational network and the Jesuit monopoly of education in the country. In the second part, it is shown how the Ratio studiorum was adapted to local conditions and how Latin culture was promoted in the Orthodox provinces of eastern Poland and Lithuania. One of the major consequences of these processes was the unification of a literary language and literature in Polish (Polish became the second language of Latinitas). The third part raises the question of the impact of rhetorical studies on political activity of the gentry, through the formation of the citizen-orator ideal. The development of literature, theatre, music, and the sciences forms the subject of the fourth part, which also lists the main achievements of Jesuit scholars and alumni. In conclusion, some observations are offered on the specific nature of Jesuit education in this part of Europe and its legacy after the dissolution of the Society of Jesus.