The Second World War through Jesuit Archives: The Case of Europe (1939–1945) has been co-edited by Rebecca Somerset, Archivist for the British Jesuit Archives, who also produced a chapter for the book.
The book brings together material from Jesuit collections in Britain and Europe, and in some instances even further afield, highlighting how members of the Society of Jesus experienced and responded to the upheaval of war across Europe.
Rather than focusing solely on major political and military events, the book centres on what has survived in the archives. Through correspondence, reports and personal reflections, it reveals how Jesuits worked as teachers, scholars, chaplains and pastors during a time of uncertainty, displacement and danger. The records show communities adapting to rapidly changing circumstances, while continuing their educational, pastoral and spiritual work.
Rebecca Somerset said:
“The opening of the Pius XII papers in the Vatican Archives in 2020, followed by the release of the archives of the Superior General of the Society (ARSI), provided the catalyst for conversations with colleagues in other European Jesuit archives—including those from provinces that had remained neutral—about the material held from the Second World War period.
“These exchanges gave rise to the book, conceived not as a definitive guide to the collections, but as a practical overview and an invitation for scholars to pursue deeper research in this field.
“I feel that we have succeeded in our aim to produce an introductory, informative, and attractive guide to showcase material held by European Jesuit archives relating to the period 1939-45, and I am excited to see what research is done as a result of this guide.”
The international nature of the Jesuit order is reflected in the sources used, with stories emerging from different parts of Europe and beyond. Together, they build a picture of how global conflict was encountered at a local and personal level, and how faith, learning and service continued under immense pressure.
The book also highlights the importance of archives in preserving voices that might otherwise be lost. Many of the documents were never intended for publication, yet they now provide valuable insight into the moral, emotional and practical realities of wartime life.
The British Jesuit Archives has also developed an online exhibition showcasing archival documents from the seventeen European Jesuit archives that participated in the publication. The exhibition, which will be launched shortly, explores common threads across the collections and includes an interactive map to help situate the material geographically.
The Second World War through Jesuit Archives: The Case of Europe (1939–1945) is available to pre-order: www.fondazionepolanco.org.
