Its object was to improve the secular priesthood, with a view to which end seminaries were opened for the education of priests, who took monastic vows and devoted themselves to special observance of their clerical duties, as preachers, administrators of the sacraments, visitors of the poor and sick.
A Venetian, Girolamo Miani, at the same period founded a congregation, called the Somascan, for the education of the destitute and orphaned, and for the reception of the sick and infirm into hospitals.

The terrible state in which Lombardy had been left by war rendered this institution highly valuable.

Of a similar type was the order of the Barnabites, who were first incorporated at Milan, charged with the performance of acts of mercy, education, preaching, and other forms of Christian ministration.

It may be finally added that the Camaldolese and Franciscan orders had been in part reformed by a spontaneous movement within their bodies.
If we compare the spirit indicated by these efforts in the first half of the sixteenth century with that of the earlier Renaissance, it will be evident that the Italians were ready for religious change.

They sink, however, into insignificance beside two Spanish institutions which about the same period added their weight and influence to the Catholic revival.