Missionaries and Commanders: The Jesuits in Mindanao, 1718–68

Abstract In the Philippines, at fringes of Spanish empire, Society Jesus took on a difficult task, mission and pastoral work Island Mindanao, which was ruled mostly by Muslim polities. frontier zone between Islamic spheres influence, Jesuit missionaries, in symbiosis with native Christian troops, tried to expand their influence force Islam back. Thereby, priests participated actively defensive offensive military tasks. This article gives an overview Jesuits’ presence south Philippines then, studying printed sources, analyzes image cultivation local members order. Putting topic context anti-Jesuit discussion Europe, reasons that communication strategy Jesuits middle eighteenth century particularly aimed highlighting usefulness missionaries colony empire general.