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 founded in 1540 by Ignatius of Loyola and six companions, with the approval of Pope Paul III. Today, it is the largest Catholic religious male order and works in 112 countries.

Jesuits are involved in many important activities, such as education, charity, and helping people around the world. They also work in hospitals, parishes, and cultural projects. The group is led by a superior general and is headquartered in Rome.

Jesuits have a long history of sharing their faith with people in many parts of the world. They have sometimes faced challenges and disagreements, but they continue to play a big role in the Catholic Church today.

History

Foundation

Ignatius of Loyola, a nobleman from the Pyrenees area of northern Spain, founded the Society of Jesus after discerning his spiritual calling while recovering from a wound sustained in battle.

In 1534, Ignatius and six students from the University of Paris met in Montmartre, promising poverty, chastity, and obedience. They called themselves the "Company of Jesus" and later became known as the Society of Jesus. They traveled to Italy to seek approval from Pope Paul III, who officially recognized them as a religious order in 1540. Their mission included founding schools, sending missionaries worldwide, and working to preserve the Catholic faith.

Early works

The Jesuits focused on education, establishing schools across Europe. They also sent missionaries to spread Christianity globally, founding missions in places like Paraguay, Japan, and Ethiopia. They aimed to counter the spread of Protestantism and maintain unity with the pope.

Expansion of the order

Jesuits traveled worldwide to spread Christianity. They had success in Latin America but faced challenges in Asia. They established missions in places like Peru, Colombia, and Bolivia, and worked to protect indigenous peoples from slavery. They also made significant contributions to learning, translating languages, and documenting cultures.

Suppression and restoration

In 1773, Pope Clement XIV suppressed the Society of Jesus due to political pressures. However, it was restored in 1814 by Pope Pius VII. Following the restoration, the Jesuits experienced significant growth and continued their work in education and missionary activities.

Early 20th century

In the early 20th century, the number of Jesuits peaked but later declined. Despite this, Jesuit institutions continued to grow, focusing on education and social justice. Notable Jesuits of this era contributed to significant church documents and movements.

Post-Vatican II

After the Second Vatican Council, the Jesuits focused on social justice and the poor. They also addressed issues like religious freedom and the role of women in the church. In recent years, they have emphasized accompanying the marginalized, educating youth, and caring for the environment.

Ignatian spirituality

Main article: Ignatian spirituality

Ignatian spirituality is the 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 story 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 without being controlled by strong feelings. The final part of the exercises helps a person learn to see and feel God's presence everywhere.

Formation

Main article: Jesuit formation

The training of Jesuits helps prepare men in spirit, learning, and skills for the work they will do for 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 assign them. Becoming a priest as a Jesuit usually takes between eight and fourteen years, depending on what the man already knows. After that, there are more promises to keep, which makes the training for Jesuits one of the longest among 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, elected in October 2016.

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 largest group of priests and brothers in the Catholic Church. However, their numbers have been getting smaller over the past few decades. In 2022, there were 14,439 Jesuits, including priests, brothers, and students preparing to become priests. This is much fewer than in 1965, when there were over 36,000 Jesuits.

Jesuits work in many important areas, such as helping people in need, standing up for fair treatment, and running schools and universities around the world. They are especially active in places like the Philippines and India. In the United States, they have connections 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, match what people where they live wear, and not look rich.

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 faced several controversies throughout their history. In some places, they owned many enslaved people and were involved in the slave trade. They believed this helped them share their religious beliefs with those enslaved.

There were also times when Jesuits were accused of seeking too much power. Some people thought they were involved in secret plans and political troubles. Over time, the Jesuits have had disagreements with church leaders about certain teachings and rules.

Nazi persecution

The Catholic Church faced hard times in Nazi Germany. Even though Adolf Hitler was raised in a Catholic family, he did not like religious groups, especially the Jesuits. The Jesuits stood strongly against Nazi ideas, so the Nazis saw them as a big threat. A Jesuit school in Innsbruck helped people fight against the Nazis but was closed in 1938.

Many Jesuit priests were targeted by the Nazis and sent to strict prison camps. A lot of them were held in a place called Dachau. Some did not survive because of the harsh conditions. The leader of the Jesuits at that time was Włodzimierz Ledóchowski from Poland. He helped keep the Jesuits strong against the Nazis and allowed a radio station to speak out against their 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 until he passed away in 1945.

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, and 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 mostly using ideas from Aristotle.

However, Jesuits have done a lot to help science grow. They studied many areas, from cosmology to seismology. They helped create 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, where they were known for their skills in astronomy, math, and understanding the world around us.

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, while 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), showing 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, 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 all 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 well known for their work in publishing. Many Jesuit schools and universities have their own presses that create books, textbooks, and other academic materials.

La Civiltà Cattolica is a magazine made in Rome by the Jesuits. It is often used to share ideas that might be important for leaders of the church.

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

In the United States, America magazine is very important in Catholic discussions. Ignatius Press, started by a Jesuit, publishes many books for learners and thoughtful readers.

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

In Australia, Jesuits make several 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 that talks 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 to reach people today. For example, Jesuit Communications in India uses online videos and films to talk about important moral and spiritual topics.

Jesuits in Canada and the U.S. use video and podcasts, like the “Jesuitical” podcast from America Media, to keep discussing ideas in our connected world.