Matteo Ricci summary

Written and fact-checked by The Editors of Encyclopaedia Britannica

Below is the article summary. For the full article, see Matteo Ricci.

Matteo Ricci, (born Oct. 6, 1552, Macerata, Papal States—died May 11, 1610, China), Italian Jesuit missionary who introduced Christianity to China. From a noble family, he was educated by the Jesuits, whose order he joined after studying law in Rome. He volunteered for missionary work overseas, arrived in Goa in 1578, and proceeded to China in 1582. China’s interior was closed to foreigners when he arrived, but his willingness to adopt the Chinese language and culture gave him entry. In 1597 he was appointed director of Jesuit activities in China. In 1599 he settled in Nanjing, where he studied astronomy and geography. In 1601 he was finally admitted to Beijing, where he preached the Gospel, taught science to scholars, and translated Christian works into Chinese.

Jesuit Summary

Jesuit, member of the Society of Jesus (S.J.), a Roman Catholic order of religious men founded by St. Ignatius of Loyola, noted for its educational, missionary, and charitable works. The order has been regarded by many as the principal agent of the Counter-Reformation and was later a leading force