Abstract:
The purpose of this article is to discuss the intellectual trajectory of Father Leonel Franca (1893-1948) in Brazil. Our analyzes comprise his religious and political actions between 1908 - insertion in the seminary of the Society of Jesus - and 1948 - consecration of his articulations as rector of PUC. In this study, we used, in addition to theoretical contributions, documentary sources, files located at the Society of Jesus in Brazil - Rio de Janeiro. The accomplishments of the Jesuit intellectual, in the public sphere, were consistent with his priestly formation, reverberating actions in defense of Catholicism. In order to guide the new generations, based on the Church's educational project, Father Leonel Franca contributed significantly to the legal structuring of religious education in Brazilian society.
Keywords:
Society of Jesus; catholicism; Father Leonel Franca; religious education