Mutio Vitelleschi, Superior General of the Jesuit Order, confirms that Prince Karl Eusebius I von Liechtenstein has founded a Jesuit College in Opava (Troppau), attached a foundation letter dated 1.1.1642

In inviting the Jesuits to his town of Troppau, Karl I von Liechtenstein launched a highly important initiative to Catholicize the mainly Lutheran population. The first Jesuit to arrive in Troppau at the prince’s behest, in 1625, was his most important confidant for all missionary activities, the Brünn-born Jonas Ladnitzer, who was given the church of St George as the centre and starting point for his campaign. However, the chaos of war put an early end to his efforts to convert the local people. A Jesuit college was later founded by Karl’s son and successor Prince Karl Eusebius I on 1 January 1642. The initial body of nineteen Jesuits was, however, soon forced to flee to Cracow when Swedish troops occupied the town with virtually no resistance, having defeated an army of imperial and Saxon forces at Schweidnitz on 21 May 1642. Having returned from Cracow, the Troppau Jesuits were only able to set about revitalizing the foundation once the Swedes had finally withdrawn in 1647. The foundation was confirmed by the sixth Superior General of the Society of Jesus, Mutio (Muzio) Vitelleschi (1563–1645), in the form of a parchment scroll dated 1 January 1643. Written in Latin, the document has a unusual and detailed decoration: the text is enclosed on three sides with ornamental margins showing colourful floral motifs with the emblem of the Jesuit Order displayed at top centre, the monogram of Jesus (‘IHS’) enclosed in a gloriole symbolizing the elevation of the crucified Christ. The issuer’s seal is enclosed in a sheet brass box attached to the plica (fold) with a red cord.