The Catholic Counter-Reformation was a period of spiritual and intellectual renewal in the Catholic Church that took place in response to the Protestant Reformation. During this time, the Catholic Church made a number of reforms, including the Council of Trent, which clarified church doctrine and made changes to church practices. The Counter-Reformation also saw the formation of new religious orders, such as the Jesuits, and the establishment of new missionary efforts in order to spread the Catholic faith. Overall, the Catholic Counter-Reformation was an attempt to reaffirm the authority of the Catholic Church and strengthen its hold on the faithful in the face of Protestant challenges.