Ignorantines
Cyclopedia of Biblical, Theological and Ecclesiastical Literature [1]
(Latin, Fratres Ignorantice; French, Freres Ignorantines), also known as the Congregation of Christians Instruction and Christian Schools, is the name of a Jesuitical foundation for the gratuitous instruction of poor children in sacred as well as secular learning, which was founded in France in the early part of the 18th century (1724) by the abb É de la Salle. ‘ As the object is to confine the instruction to such branches as do not conflict with, but even favor, the religious views of the Roman Catholics, virtually preparing the young, by the exclusion of all books by Protestants, to remain true to the church of their fathers, they have gradually been introduced into every Catholic country of Europe. In France this society shared at the Revolution the fate of all the other religious bodies; but, under the name of Brothers of the Christian Schools, they were recalled, and re-established under Napoleon in 1806. They are now exceedingly numerous in France, Italy, and in some parts of Bohemia and Germany. Many branches exist also in England and Ireland. In the latter country they have large educational establishments, with a series of schoolbooks specially designed for Roman Catholics. The Ignorantines wear a dress very similar to that of the Jesuits. — Chambers, Cyclop. 5, 517; Herzog, Real-Encyklop. 6, 632.
The Nuttall Encyclopedia [2]
A Jesuit association in the Roman Catholic Church founded in 1724, who give instruction to poor children gratis, with the object of winning them over to the Catholic faith.
