Early Years and Studies
The son of a merchant, Stephens was born in Bushton, Wiltshire, England, and studied in Oxford before becoming a Catholic. He went to Rome where he entered the Society of Jesus in 1575. He did some philosophical studies at the Collegio Romano before departing for Lisbon, en route for Goa which he reached on the 24 October 1579, probably the first Englishman to set foot on Indian soil. This is, however, disputed by G. Schurhammer and others. After a few months of theological studies he was ordained priest in 1580. He learned to read and write in Konkani and Marathi.
Read more about this topic: Thomas Stephens (Jesuit)
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