General from 1820 to 1829


He was born on February 26, 1748 in Verona, Italy, and had been admitted to the Venice Province on October 12, 1762, at the
tender age of 14. He taught the Humanities in Ferrara. When the Society was suppressed he went to Parma at the request of the Duke and became Director of the College of Nobles. He re-entered the Society in 1794 and became Provincial for Italy. After the death of Brzozowski the General Congregation was held between October 9, 1820 and December 10, 1820.

On October 18 Father Fortis was elected General at the age of 72. During his generalate he vigorously promoted the formation of Novices and Scholastics. He saw the return to the Society of the Roman College, of the German College, and of the College of Nobles. From Pope Leo XII Father Fortis obtained confirmation of many of the former privileges enjoyed by the Society. He saw, also, the return of Jesuit houses from Piedmont to Sardinia. `

After being General for eight years and three months he died in Rome on January 27, 1829. He was buried in the crypt of the Gesú.