Thomas Everard (Jesuit) facts for kids

Thomas Everard (born in 1560, died in 1633) was an English Jesuit. Jesuits are a group of Catholic priests and brothers who are part of a religious order called the Society of Jesus. Thomas Everard was known for translating many important religious books into English.

Thomas Everard's Life Story

Thomas Everard was born in a place called Linstead, in Suffolk, England. His birthday was February 8, 1560. His father, Henry Everard, was a gentleman who was even put in prison because of his Catholic faith.

Thomas studied at home for about six and a half years. After that, he went to Jesus College, Cambridge, for about a year and a half. While in London, he met Father John Gerard and learned about spiritual exercises, which are special prayers and reflections.

Becoming a Priest and Jesuit

In 1592, Thomas went to Rheims, a city in France, and joined the English College there. He studied philosophy and divinity (which is the study of religion) in Rheims and Courtray. On September 18, 1592, he became a priest.

Soon after, on June 4, 1593, he joined the Society of Jesus (the Jesuits) in Tournai. After taking his first vows, he was sent to a college in Lille in 1595. For several years, he worked at the college of St. Omer and at Watten. He also helped train new Jesuits at Louvain. In 1604, he took his final vows as a spiritual coadjutor, which is a type of Jesuit who helps others with their spiritual lives.

Challenges and Travels

Thomas Everard visited England for a short time in 1603–1604. He had a very lucky escape from being arrested then! Around 1617, he came back to England again. He worked as a priest in Norfolk and Suffolk.

About a year after he arrived, he was caught and kept in prison for two years. In March 1621, he was sent away from England by order of the lords. When he tried to return from exile in July 1623, he was caught at the port of Dover. However, he was eventually let go after paying bail, but he lost his "books, pictures, and other things."

Thomas Everard's name was on a list of priests and Jesuits in London in 1624. His name also appeared in a list found at Clerkenwell, which was a Jesuit house in London, in 1628. At that time, he was working as a missionary in Suffolk. He passed away in London on May 16, 1633.

Thomas Everard's Books and Translations

Thomas Everard was a busy writer and translator. He took many important religious books written in other languages and turned them into English so more people could read them. Here are some of his works:

• Meditations on the Passion of Our Lord: This book was about the suffering of Jesus. He translated it from the Latin of Father Fulvius Androtus. It was printed in St. Omer in 1604, 1606, and 1618.
• The Paradise of the Soul, and a treatise on Adhering to God: He translated this from the Latin of Albert the Great. It was printed many times, starting in 1606 and 1617.
• Translation of Father Francis Arias's Treatise on Perfection: Printed in St. Omer in 1617.
• The Mirrour of Religious Perfection: This was translated from the Italian of Father Luca Pinelli. It was printed in St. Omer in 1618. The original work was by Jean Gerson.
• Treatise on the Method of Living Well: Another translation, printed in St. Omer in 1620.
• Translation of St. Francis Borgia's Practice of Christian Works: Printed in St. Omer in 1620.
• Meditations upon the Holy Eucharist: Translated from the Italian of Luca Pinelli. Printed in St. Omer in 1622. The original work was by Jean Gerson.
• Translation of A Manual on Praying Well by Father Peter Canisius: Printed in St. Omer in 1622.
• Translation of Father Ludovicus de Ponte's Compendium of Meditations: Printed in St. Omer in 1623.
• Translation of Father Peter Ribadeneira's treatise, De Principe Christiano: Printed in St. Omer in 1624.
• A Dialogue on Contribution and Attrition: This book was so popular it had four different editions!
• The Eternall Felicitie of the Saints: He translated this from the Latin of Cardinal Bellarmin. The first edition was likely printed secretly in Lancashire around 1624. It was printed again in St. Omer in 1638.

Images for kids

• Matthias Tanner Societas Jesu Apostolorum Imitatrix.jpg

  An engraved portrait of Thomas Everard from a book by Matthias Tanner.