British Jesuit Archives

17/10/2026

50 years ago today, 17 October 1976, John Ogilvie SJ was canonised by Pope Paul VI in St Peter’s Basilica, becoming Scotland’s first post-Reformation saint.

A Jesuit priest and martyr, Ogilvie was executed in Glasgow in 1615 for his Catholic faith. His life and martyrdom remain an important part of the history of the British Jesuits.

The British Jesuit Archives holds material relating to his life, death and canonisation. Please get in touch if you would like to find out more.

13/10/2026

350 years ago, Fr Claude de la Colombière SJ arrived in London.

He came to serve as chaplain and confessor to Maria d’Este of Modena, Duchess of York, wife of the future King James II.

But what can the archives tell us about this remarkable Jesuit, best known today as a spiritual director and companion to St Margaret Mary Alacoque?

👉 Discover more about de la Colombière and explore what we hold in our archives: https://www.jesuitarchives.co.uk/post/st-claude-la-colombi%C3%A8re

Take a look at the collection and tell us what interests you most!

As this week sees the relics of St Claude La Colombière SJ and St Margaret Mary Alacoque visiting Farm Street Church it seemed appropriate to share what the Archives holds in relation to this Jesuit. Please get in touch if you would like to arrange to view these items.Our Rare Books collection cont...

12/10/2026

We're sharing this image from the Heythrop Negative Collection for 🏍️

Where do you think these were heading to in such a hurry?

09/10/2026

✉️ For , discover how Jesuits used letters to share news, ideas, hopes and stories across the world.

Read our blog: “Jesuits and the Lost Art of Letter Writing”
https://www.jesuitarchives.co.uk/post/jesuits-and-the-lost-art-of-letter-writing

The Jesuits in Britain Archives is full of letters – personal correspondence, circulars, letters to and from Fr Provincial and Fr General, annual letters in Latin, postcards and Christmas cards. There are letters from Guyana, South Africa, Jamaica, India, Maryland, Rome, from all parts of Britain ...

05/10/2026

⏰ Just 2 days to go!

Join us this Wednesday, 7 October, for the Heythrop Library & British Jesuit Archives Open Day.

📍 London Jesuit Centre
🕥 10:30–16:30

Come and discover our collections, see our displays, and find out more about our resources. We hope to see you there!

02/10/2026

Our Open Day is featured in a new article from Jesuits in Britain.

The article offers a glimpse into the collections held by the British Jesuit Archives and Heythrop Library, as well as what visitors can discover when we open our doors to the public.

Read the full story and find out more about our upcoming Open Day 👇
https://www.jesuit.org.uk/news/heythrop-library-and-british-jesuit-archives-in-london-open-their-doors-to-the-public

📷 From our 2024 Open Day - this year’s displays will be slightly different, but we’re looking forward to welcoming visitors again.

01/10/2026

It's for those who celebrate!

A haircut, Jesuit-style: Fr Ronald Hull SJ gets a trim from a fellow member of the Society 💇‍♂️

01/10/2026

On this in the UK, we’re celebrating the poetry of Gerard Manley Hopkins.

Which of Hopkins’s poems have you enjoyed the most? We’d love to hear your favourites in the comments.

📷 Hopkins’s final vows, held in the archives.

01/10/2026

☕ Happy !

Remember to enjoy your caffeine responsibly and keep it away from historical records - some things are best kept separate!

(No archives were harmed for this post)



📷 Nathan Dumlao, Unsplash

30/09/2026

📣 One week to go!

Join us next Wednesday, 7 October, for the Heythrop Library & British Jesuit Archives Open Day.

Discover our collections through exhibitions and displays in both the Library & Archives, and find out more about the resources available to researchers and visitors.

📍 London Jesuit Centre
🕥 10:30–16:30