Boston College, established by Jesuit priests in 1863 to appeal to urban Irish Catholics, offered a rather limited intellectual curriculum. The Jesuits of the late 19th century were wary of the radically changing world and limited intellectual study to Thomistic philosophy. The priests prioritized spiritual and sacramental activities over intellectual pursuits. One consequence was that Harvard University would not admit Boston College graduates to its law school. Jesuit interaction with the world of authentic scholarship would not come until well into the 20th century.<ref> Marianne Gallagher, "The Jesuits at Boston College in the Late Nineteenth Century," ''American Catholic Studies'' 2007 118(2): 43-66, </ref> | Boston College, established by Jesuit priests in 1863 to appeal to urban Irish Catholics, offered a rather limited intellectual curriculum. The Jesuits of the late 19th century were wary of the radically changing world and limited intellectual study to Thomistic philosophy. The priests prioritized spiritual and sacramental activities over intellectual pursuits. One consequence was that Harvard University would not admit Boston College graduates to its law school. Jesuit interaction with the world of authentic scholarship would not come until well into the 20th century.<ref> Marianne Gallagher, "The Jesuits at Boston College in the Late Nineteenth Century," ''American Catholic Studies'' 2007 118(2): 43-66, </ref> |