Ad maiorem Dei gloria : the archive of the Jesuits in Malta

Abstract

This dissertation investigates the archival legacy of the first Jesuit presence in Malta (1592-1768), focusing on the processes of identification, reconstruction, and cataloguing of the Order’s dispersed records. Drawing on international case studies of displaced archives and the historical context of archival fragmentation in Malta, the study positions the Jesuit case within broader debates concerning provenance, custodianship, and archival restitution. It explores the Jesuits’ 176-year presence on the island, from their arrival in 1592 to their expulsion in 1768, during which they developed a comprehensive documentary system to support their religious, educational, and administrative missions. Through a detailed analysis of the surviving archival material, primarily located at the Cathedral Archives and the National Library of Malta, this dissertation attempts to reconstruct the structure and purpose of the original Jesuit archive, with particular attention to key series, such as those described as Libro Giornale, Libro Maestro, and Libro Messe. The study also examines two inventories compiled at the time of the expulsion, which serve as invaluable tools for tracing lost or relocated volumes. It concludes that the Jesuits’ records were not destroyed, but rather appropriated and redistributed, resulting in a fragmented yet partly recoverable archival corpus. Rather than advocating for the physical reunification of these records, the dissertation argues for a digital reconstruction strategy, grounded in respect for original provenance and current custodianship. This virtual reunification offers a sustainable and scholarly solution to the challenges posed by archival displacement, enabling access while preserving institutional continuity. By merging archival theory with historical research and practical cataloguing experiments, this study hopes to contribute to the fields of archival science and Jesuit historiography. However, it affirms the value of reconstructing displaced archives as both a methodological imperative and an ethical responsibility, ensuring the preservation and accessibility of collective memory.