Jesuits

The Society of Jesus, also known as the Jesuit Order or the Jesuits, is a religious order for men in the Catholic Church. It was started in 1540 by Ignatius of Loyola and six friends, with the support of Pope Paul III. Today, it is the largest Catholic group for men and works in 112 countries.

Jesuits help people in many ways, such as through teaching, charity, and working in hospitals, churches, and cultural projects. They are led by a superior general and their main office is in Rome.

Jesuits have shared their beliefs with people all over the world for a long time. Sometimes they have faced difficulties, but they still play an important part in the Catholic Church today.

History

Foundation

Ignatius of Loyola, a man from the Pyrenees in Spain, started the Society of Jesus after feeling a calling to serve during his recovery from a battle wound.

In 1534, Ignatius and six students from the University of Paris met in Montmartre, promising to live simply and serve others. They called themselves the "Company of Jesus" and later became known as the Society of Jesus. They went to Italy to gain approval from Pope Paul III, who recognized them as a religious group in 1540. Their work included starting schools, sending missionaries around the world, and supporting the Catholic faith.

Early works

The Jesuits focused on teaching, creating schools across Europe. They also sent missionaries to share Christianity worldwide, starting missions in places like Paraguay, Japan, and Ethiopia. They worked to support the pope and unity within the Catholic Church.

Expansion of the order

Jesuits traveled around the world to share Christianity. They had success in Latin America but faced difficulties in Asia. They started missions in places like Peru, Colombia, and Bolivia, and helped protect local people from being treated unfairly. They also helped with learning, translating languages, and recording different cultures.

Suppression and restoration

In 1773, Pope Clement XIV stopped the Society of Jesus because of political issues. However, it was restarted in 1814 by Pope Pius VII. After this, the Jesuits grew again and continued their work in teaching and missions.

Early 20th century

In the early 1900s, the number of Jesuits was highest but then decreased. Still, Jesuit schools and organizations kept growing, focusing on teaching and social justice. Important Jesuits during this time helped create church documents and movements.

Post-Vatican II

After the Second Vatican Council, the Jesuits focused on helping those in need and supporting fairness. They also talked about religious freedom and the role of women in the church. Recently, they have emphasized helping the less fortunate, teaching young people, and taking care of the environment.

Ignatian spirituality

Main article: Ignatian spirituality

Ignatian spirituality is a special way of thinking and living that the Jesuits follow. It is based on strong faith and teachings from the Bible. This spirituality comes from the rules, letters, and life of Ignatius of Loyola, especially from his book called Spiritual Exercises. The goal of these exercises is to learn to control oneself and make good choices. The final part helps a person learn to feel God's presence.

Formation

Main article: Jesuit formation

The training of Jesuits helps prepare men for their work in the church and the world. Ignatius, who started the Jesuits, was inspired by the Renaissance. He wanted Jesuits to be ready for any job the pope might give them. Becoming a Jesuit priest usually takes between eight and fourteen years. After that, there are more promises to keep, making Jesuit training one of the longest in church groups.

Governance of the society

The Jesuits are led by a Superior General, also called Father General. He is chosen by a group of Jesuits and confirmed by the pope. The current Superior General is Arturo Sosa from Venezuela.

The Father General has helpers called assistants. Some assist with advice, while others lead specific areas like education. These assistants work in Rome with the Father General. There is also a vicar general and a secretary who handle daily tasks. The Superior General has a special advisor called an admonitor, who helps guide decisions.

The Jesuits are organized into regions called provinces, each led by a Provincial Superior. This leader appoints people to help with tasks like training new members and managing local groups. Provinces are grouped into larger conferences to work together better. Each local group of Jesuits is led by a rector, with help from a minister.

Statistics

The Jesuits are the biggest group of priests and brothers in the Catholic Church. But, there are fewer of them now than before. In 2022, there were 14,439 Jesuits. This includes priests, brothers, and students who want to become priests. In 1965, there were over 36,000 Jesuits.

Jesuits help people in many ways. They support people in need, work for fair treatment, and run schools and universities all over the world. They are very active in places like the Philippines and India. In the United States, they are linked to many colleges and high schools.

Habit and dress

Jesuits do not have a special uniform they must wear. Their rules say their clothes should be proper and match what people where they live wear.

In the past, Jesuits often wore a long robe wrapped around the body and tied with a belt, along with a special hat and cape. Today, Jesuits in the United States usually wear special clothes that priests wear, while many in Europe wear regular everyday clothes.

Controversies

The Jesuits have had some difficult times in their history. In some places, they owned enslaved people and helped with the slave trade. They thought this would help them share their religious beliefs.

Sometimes, people thought the Jesuits wanted too much power. There were accusations of secret plans and political troubles. Over time, the Jesuits have disagreed with church leaders about some teachings and rules.

Nazi persecution

The Catholic Church had a hard time in Nazi Germany. Even though Adolf Hitler grew up in a Catholic family, he did not like religious groups, especially the Jesuits. The Jesuits opposed Nazi ideas, so the Nazis saw them as a threat. A Jesuit school in Innsbruck helped people stand up to the Nazis but was closed in 1938.

Many Jesuit priests were targeted by the Nazis and sent to strict prison camps. Some were held in a place called Dachau. The leader of the Jesuits at that time was Włodzimierz Ledóchowski from Poland. He helped keep the Jesuits strong and allowed a radio station to speak out against unfair actions, especially in Poland.

Some Jesuits were part of secret groups trying to stop Hitler. One group was called the Kreisau Circle, and it included Jesuit priests like Augustin Rösch, Alfred Delp, and Lothar König. Another Jesuit, Rupert Mayer, spoke out against the Nazis and was imprisoned but later sent to a safer place where he continued to share his beliefs.

Rescue efforts during the Holocaust

Further information: Rescue of Jews by Catholics during the Holocaust

During World War II, many priests helped save Jewish people. Jesuits were among those who hid Jewish children in safe places like schools and monasteries. Fourteen Jesuit priests were honored for their brave actions to save Jews during this difficult time. They came from different countries, showing great courage to protect others.

In science

See also: List of Jesuit scientists

From the 1500s to the 1700s, Jesuit schools taught science using ideas from Aristotle.

Jesuits helped science grow. They studied many areas, from cosmology to seismology. They helped make important tools like pendulum clocks, pantographs, barometers, reflecting telescopes, and microscopes. They also looked at things like the colored bands on Jupiter, the Andromeda nebula, and Saturn's rings.

The Jesuits brought Western science and astronomy to China. They were known for their skills in astronomy, math, and understanding the world.

Notable members

Main article: List of Jesuits

See also: List of Jesuit theologians and List of Jesuit scientists

Jesuits have included missionaries, educators, scientists, artists, philosophers, and even a pope. One well-known early Jesuit was Francis Xavier, a missionary in Asia who helped many people join Catholicism. Another famous Jesuit was Robert Bellarmine, recognized as a teacher of the Church.

Other important Jesuits include José de Anchieta and Manuel da Nóbrega, who helped found the city of São Paulo in Brazil, and Jean de Brébeuf, a French missionary who worked in what is now Ontario, Canada.

In South America, Peter Claver worked with enslaved Africans, and Eusebio Kino founded missions in the southwestern United States and northern Mexico.

Gerard Manley Hopkins was a poet known for his unique style of writing, and Anthony de Mello shared ideas about spirituality from Eastern traditions.

Cardinal Jorge Bergoglio of Argentina became Pope Francis in 2013, the first Jesuit to hold this position.

The Feast of All Jesuit Saints and Blesseds is celebrated on November 5th.

Gallery of Jesuit churches

See also: List of Jesuit sites

The [Church of the Gesù](/wiki/Church_of_the_Gesù) in [Rome](/wiki/Rome) is the main church of the Jesuits.

_[Iglesia de La Compañía](/wiki/Church_of_La_Compañía,_Quito)_, [Quito](/wiki/Quito), [Ecuador](/wiki/Ecuador), has beautiful golden details inside.

Church of [Saint-Pierre de Montmartre](/wiki/Saint-Pierre_de_Montmartre), Paris, France

[Jesuit church](/wiki/Church_of_the_Society_of_Jesus_\(Cusco,_Peru\)), Cuzco, Peru

[Colegio de Belén, Havana](/wiki/Colegio_de_Belén,_Havana), called "The Palace of Education"

Christ the King Church at Ateneo de Naga University campus, Naga City, Philippines

[Fordham University Church](/wiki/Fordham_University_Church) at Rose Hill, Bronx, New York, US

[Loyola University Chicago](/wiki/Loyola_University_Chicago) [Art Deco Chapel at Lakeshore Campus](/wiki/Madonna_Della_Strada_Chapel), Chicago, Illinois, US

St. John's Church on Creighton University campus, Omaha, Nebraska, US

Holy Name of Jesus Church at Loyola University New Orleans campus, New Orleans, Louisiana, US

The Church of the Gesu in Milwaukee, Wisconsin, US, is the school church of Marquette University.

St. Francis Xavier Church, a Jesuit parish church near Rockhurst University campus, Kansas City, Missouri, US

St. Francis Xavier College Church on Saint Louis University campus, St. Louis, Missouri, US

The [Santa Clara University's Mission Church](/wiki/Mission_Santa_Clara_de_Asís) is at the center of Santa Clara University's historic campus in Santa Clara, California, US.

[St. Ignatius Church](/wiki/Saint_Ignatius_Church_\(San_Francisco\)), parish church of the [University of San Francisco](/wiki/University_of_San_Francisco), [San Francisco, California](/wiki/San_Francisco,_California), US

The Church of the Gesu in Philadelphia is the school church of [St. Joseph's Preparatory School](/wiki/St._Joseph's_Preparatory_School), Philadelphia, Pennsylvania, US.

The Church of the Gesu in Frascati, [province of Rome](/wiki/Province_of_Rome), Italy

The [Église du Gesù](/wiki/Église_du_Gesù_\(Montreal\)) in Montreal, Quebec, Canada, is used as a church and cultural space

[Jakarta Cathedral](/wiki/Jakarta_Cathedral), [Indonesia](/wiki/Indonesia)

[Sacred Heart Church, Wimbledon](/wiki/Sacred_Heart_Church,_Wimbledon), London

Institutions

Jesuits are best known for their work in schools around the world. They have helped start many schools, including 168 big colleges in 40 countries and 324 high schools in 55 countries. These schools often carry names of famous Jesuits, like Francis Xavier. They teach students to use their words and writings to help others.

Jesuits also work to help people in need. They support projects that teach skills, speak up for fair treatment, and offer services to poor and marginalized communities. Many Jesuit schools have special programs to teach students about helping others, and Jesuits run over 500 centers for community development in 56 countries.

Publications

Jesuits are known for their work in publishing. Many Jesuit schools and universities have their own presses that make books and textbooks.

La Civiltà Cattolica is a magazine made in Rome by the Jesuits. It shares ideas for church leaders.

The Way is a journal about Christian beliefs made by Jesuits in Britain.

In the United States, America magazine is important for Catholic discussions. Ignatius Press, started by a Jesuit, publishes books for learners.

Manresa is a magazine about Jesuit beliefs made in Madrid, Spain.

In Australia, Jesuits make magazines such as Eureka Street, Madonna, Australian Catholics, and Province Express.

In Germany, they publish a journal called Geist und Leben and a magazine called Weltweit about their work around the world, through the Jesuitenmission.

In Sweden, Signum is a cultural magazine about faith and society, made by the Newman Institute and printed eight times each year.

Jesuits also create digital content and podcasts. Jesuit Communications in India uses online videos to talk about moral and spiritual topics.

Jesuits in Canada and the U.S. use videos and podcasts, like the “Jesuitical” podcast from America Media, to discuss ideas.