The Protestant reformation took place during a boom of the work of missionaries in the recently discovered American continent. One way they helped counter the effects of the Protestant movement was the addition of millions of new members to the Catholic Church among the Native Americans. Also, their enthusiasm led them to teach the doctrine of the Catholic faith to these newly added members of the Church, a practice no longer carried out in Europe. And finally, the austere and solemn lifestyle of the missionaries set an example to follow for all Catholics.
