Counter-Reformation

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The Counter-Reformation (Latin: Contrareformatio), also sometimes called the Catholic Revival or the Catholic Reformation, was the period of Catholic resurgence that was initiated in response to and as an alternative to, or from similar insights as, the Protestant Reformation. It was a comprehensive effort arising from the decrees of the Council of Trent. As a political-historical period, it is frequently dated to have begun with the Council of Trent (1545–1563) and to have ended with the political conclusion of the European wars of religion in 1648, though this is controversial. The effort produced apologetic and polemical documents, anti-corruption efforts, internal reform, spiritual movements, the promotion of new religious orders, and the flourishing of new art and musical styles. War and discriminatory legislation caused large migrations of religious refugees. Such reforms included the formation of seminaries for the proper training of priests in the spiritual life and the theological...

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