Newsletter # 15 News from the Bollandists June 2026

Integration of the Bollandist Society into the Pontifical Gregorian University


Rome is indisputably the premier centre for the study of the history of Christianity and its ancient literature. The prestigious Pontifical Gregorian University—founded by St. Ignatius in 1551 and directed by the Society of Jesus ever since—currently encompasses a Faculty of Church History and Cultural Heritage, a Department of Patristic Theology and a specialisation in spirituality, as well as the highly specialised Pontifical Biblical Institute and Pontifical Oriental Institute.While the academic structure covers the sources and history of Christianity, one vital element was missing: the study of the saints, their veneration, and the literature concerning them. As it happens, the Bollandist Society, a global authority on hagiographic studies since its foundation by Jean Bolland in 1630, is also an institution of the Society of Jesus.The Society’s Superior General, Fr. Arturo Sosa, recently invited the heads of both institutions to explore arrangements for integrating the Bollandists into the Gregorian University, with the Bollandist Society remaining based in Brussels. The proposal, while allowing many researchers and students to benefit from the Bollandists’ expertise and the resources of their library, will give the institution greater visibility and a more universal reach. Leadership on both sides has welcomed this project with enthusiasm and is committed to bringing it to fruition as soon as possible.

 Dear friends of the Bollandists,

Although there is still some way to go before the integration announced above is formally enshrined in the texts, we wanted to share this news with you straight away. The Bollandist team is delighted with this new direction which, without compromising the tradition of rigorous research that has always distinguished our institute, offers the Bollandist Society a place within a truly international university.  There is no doubt that such integration will open up new opportunities for the Bollandists, both in terms of research and collaboration.  And we are confident that we can continue to count, more than ever, on your support, for an authentic knowledge of the saints founded on ‘Veritas’ and ‘Eruditio’, as expressed on the frontispiece the ‘Acta Sanctorum’. 


Robert Godding, S. J.

Director

 Pietro Cardinal Parolin visited our Library

During his brief visit to Belgium on the occasion of the 800th anniversary of St. Michael and St. Gudula Cathedral in Brussels, Cardinal Pietro Parolin, Secretary of State of the Holy See, visited our Library. His Eminence’s interest in our research, publications, and projects was deeply appreciated by our team.