Everard Mercurian

Born 'Lardinois' into a humble family in Marcourt, near La Roche-en-Ardenne in what is now the province of Luxembourg in 1514, in the south-east corner of what is now Belgium.

Pope Gregory XIII, who was a good friend of the Society, expressed his desire that the delegates elect a General who was not a Spaniard.

It was a choice which pleased the Pope because Mercurian was a good friend, a non-Spaniard, and avoided criticism of his racial background.

During this time, too, Polanco traveled the length and breadth of Europe making a census of the Society's activities and of its men.

When it was finally finished it filled six large volumes and gave a detailed account of the progress the Society had made from 1537 until the death of Ignatius.

However, Pope Gregory XIII met with Campion and Persons before their departure from Rome and completely subverted Mercurian's instructions.

[1] Father Everard Mercurian passed thirty-two years in the Society, and died at the age of sixty-six.