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The Jesuits, or the Society of Jesus, are a Roman Catholic order of priests and brothers founded by St. Ignatius Loyola in 1534. They are one of the largest and most influential Catholic religious orders in the world, known for their educational, missionary, and charitable works. The Jesuits have worn many hats over the centuries, including missionaries, educators, preachers, writers, and scientists. They were also principal agents of the Counter-Reformation in the 16th and 17th centuries and played a significant role in modernizing the church. While the Jesuits have been immersed in controversies and criticism throughout their history, they have also been praised for their dedication to serving the greater glory of God and finding God in all things.
| Characteristics | Values |
|---|---|
| Influence | The Jesuits are among the Catholic Church's most influential religious orders. |
| Missionary work | Jesuits have been involved in missionary work all over the world, including in China, Japan, Goa, Tibet, the Amazon, and the source of the Blue Nile. |
| Educational work | Jesuits are known for their educational works, with nearly 200 Jesuit-founded universities and hundreds of high schools and educational projects worldwide. |
| Charitable works | Jesuits are noted for their charitable works, including the care of the young, the sick, prisoners, prostitutes, and soldiers. |
| Counter-Reformation | Jesuits were principal agents of the Counter-Reformation in the 16th and 17th centuries. |
| Modernization | The Jesuit order was a leading force in modernizing the church. |
| Political controversy | Jesuits have been accused of conniving in politics and have been expelled from various countries on political grounds. |
| Slavery | Jesuits have been criticized for their involvement in slavery and the slave trade, justifying it as a means of converting slaves to Catholicism. |
| Sexual abuse | Jesuit priests have been accused of sexual abuse, similar to other Catholic orders. |
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What You'll Learn
The Jesuits' missionary work
The Jesuits, formally known as the Society of Jesus, are a Roman Catholic order founded by St. Ignatius of Loyola in 1534. They are known for their missionary, educational, and charitable works. Ignatius Loyola, a former soldier, founded the Jesuits with the vision to "find God in all things" and dedicate themselves to the "greater glory of God".
The Jesuits were among the first five Catholic religious orders to evangelize the Philippines in support of Spanish colonization. They were particularly successful in converting the Muslims of Mindanao and Luzon to Christianity in the cities of Zamboanga and Manila. Jesuit missionaries were also active in New France (North America), where they aimed to evangelize the Indigenous peoples and supported French colonial expansion. They believed that French expansion in New France was ordained by God as it would bring more people to Christianity.
Jesuit missionaries studied local languages and created Latinized grammars and dictionaries for various languages, including Japanese, Vietnamese, Tupi (the main language of Brazil), and Sanskrit. They also compiled dictionaries and glossaries of First Nations and Native American languages, such as the Miami-Illinois-French dictionary created by Jacques Gravier.
In addition to their work in the Philippines and North America, the Jesuits founded their first mission in Asunción, Paraguay, in 1588, with the goal of converting the Guaraní, imposing European values and customs, and protecting them from colonists and slavers.
The Jesuits were expelled from Louisiana in 1763 and suppressed in 1773 by Pope Clement XIV due to their defence of Indigenous populations, their prominent position, and the anticlerical spirit of the times. However, they resumed their missionary work in the 19th century, and today they continue their ministries in missionary work, human rights, social justice, and higher education, operating colleges and universities worldwide.
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Jesuits and politics
Jesuits, or the Society of Jesus, is a Roman Catholic order of clerics regular of pontifical right for men in the Catholic Church. Jesuits are known for their educational, missionary, and charitable works. They were the principal agents of the Counter-Reformation in the 16th and 17th centuries, playing a significant role in the revival of Catholicism.
The Jesuits have had a long history of involvement in politics, often finding themselves at the centre of religious and political conflicts. During the 16th century, the Jesuits were called upon to undertake the controversial task of confessor to many of the royal and ruling families of Europe. This placed them at the intersection of religion and politics, as they influenced the religious beliefs and practices of powerful political figures.
In the context of the Protestant Reformation, the Jesuits faced religious and political persecution. In 1568, the Castle Lane School associated with the Jesuits was attacked and looted by government agents during the pacification of Munster. This incident demonstrates how the Jesuits became entangled in political conflicts, as they were targeted due to the religious and political climate of the time.
The Jesuits also played an active role in North America during the French colonisation of New France in the 17th century. Their involvement in the colonial enterprise placed them within the political dynamics between colonial powers and indigenous populations. Additionally, the Jesuits faced hostility in some parts of the Americas due to their defence of Indigenous populations, which challenged the political and economic interests of colonial authorities.
In the United States, the Jesuits are known for their missions to Native Americans in the early 17th century and their network of colleges and universities. Their role in the Catholic Counter Reformation in the United States was politically conservative, influencing the religious landscape within the political context of the nation.
The Jesuits have also been viewed through a political lens in more recent times. Some perceive them as too liberal, while others believe they are not liberal enough. These differing perspectives highlight how the Jesuits' values and teachings can be interpreted and contested in the context of modern political ideologies.
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Jesuits' educational works
Jesuits are known for their educational works, which are considered to be a significant aspect of their charitable and missionary endeavours. The Jesuits, or the Society of Jesus, are a Roman Catholic order founded by St. Ignatius of Loyola in 1534. Loyola, a former soldier, experienced a religious conversion while recovering from his battle wounds.
The Jesuits' involvement in education began in 1547 when Ignatius was asked to send some Jesuits to Messina, Sicily, to open a secondary school for the sons of its citizens. Within a few years, the Jesuits had established around thirty primary and secondary schools, as well as the Roman College, which evolved into the first Jesuit university, Gregorian University. They also founded educational institutions in East Asia, such as a school in Macau and an art school in Japan.
The Jesuits' educational philosophy emphasises teaching "the whole person," encompassing intellectual, moral, and spiritual development. Their schools aim to foster students who are intellectually competent, religious, loving, and committed to justice. This holistic approach is known as "cura personalis," reflecting the belief that God is present in all aspects of life and creation.
In recent times, the Jesuits have expanded their educational mission by establishing and sponsoring schools in urban America, particularly in high-poverty neighbourhoods. These schools offer high-quality education with little to no tuition, enabling students to access selective colleges and fulfil their potential.
The Jesuits' educational influence extends beyond their own institutions. As the first teaching order within the Catholic Church, they inspired other religious orders to follow suit, particularly in the establishment of women's Orders in 17th-century France. The Jesuits' pedagogical principles and techniques have left a lasting impact on education within the Catholic Church and Western civilisation.
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Jesuits' charitable works
Jesuits, or the Society of Jesus, are a Roman Catholic order of priests and brothers founded by St. Ignatius of Loyola in 1534. They are known for their educational, missionary, and charitable works, and are regarded as the principal agents of the Counter-Reformation in the 16th and 17th centuries.
The Jesuits' charitable works are driven by their dedication to the "greater glory of God" and the good of all humanity. They strive to bring Ignatian spirituality and reflection to people from all faiths and cultures, offering resources to those who want to discern God's presence in their lives. Jesuits take three vows: poverty, chastity, and obedience, with a fourth vow of obedience specifically regarding worldwide mission. This means Jesuits must be ready to accept any mission that the Pope requires.
The Jesuits' charitable works include their educational and missionary activities. They operate colleges, universities, schools, retreat centres, parishes, and apostolic works. They also provide chaplaincy services in hospitals and prisons, as well as programs for those affected by homelessness and gang violence. Jesuits have a long history of working with and defending Indigenous populations, although they also played a role in the enslavement of people in some parts of the Americas.
Jesuit missionaries have been active among Indigenous peoples in North America, compiling dictionaries and glossaries of First Nations and Native American languages. They have also been involved in international social justice issues, raising awareness of injustices faced by vulnerable communities and supporting marginalized people in Africa, Asia, and Latin America through their organizations abroad.
The Jesuits' charitable works are funded through donations from supporters and donors, who help to support their various ministries and special projects around the world.
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Jesuits' involvement with slavery
The Jesuits, or the Society of Jesus, participated in the institution of slavery in North America from the colonial era until the abolition of slavery in the United States in 1865 with the passage of the 13th Amendment. The Jesuits were among the largest enslavers in places such as Martinique, Maryland, and Pennsylvania. They owned, rented, and borrowed enslaved people, and their labour helped establish, expand, and sustain Jesuit missionary efforts and educational institutions.
The Jesuits' involvement with slavery is well-documented, with records of their ownership and use of enslaved people dating back to the founding of the Society of Jesus. For example, when French Jesuits opened St. Charles College, they purchased three enslaved people: Philodie and her daughter Rachel, and Ignatius Gough. In addition, they rented or borrowed enslaved people from other slave owners. Over time, the number of people the Jesuits owned grew, and they became major slaveholders in certain regions.
Maryland Jesuits, in particular, owned enslaved people at several plantations, farms, and schools, including at Georgetown University. They were also involved in the notorious 1838 sale of more than 272 enslaved people from their plantations to southern Louisiana. This sale prompted immediate outcry from fellow Jesuits and led to the removal of Thomas Mulledy as provincial superior for disobeying orders and promoting scandal.
The Maryland Jesuits' slave ownership and the 1838 sale were periodically covered in various literature, including the Woodstock Letters, an internal Jesuit publication. In recent years, there has been a growing effort by the Jesuits to address their historical involvement with slavery and to reconcile with the descendants of those impacted. The Slavery, History, Memory, and Reconciliation project is one such initiative, which aims to work in partnership with descendant communities to address the persistent vestiges of Jesuit slaveholding in their institutions.
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Frequently asked questions
The Jesuits, or the Society of Jesus, are a Roman Catholic order of priests and brothers founded by St. Ignatius Loyola in 1534.
The Jesuits are known for their educational, missionary, and charitable works. They are also known for their involvement in politics and their association with royal courts and the papacy, which has made them both influential and vulnerable to opposition.
The Jesuits are among the Catholic Church's most influential religious orders, but they are not without controversy. They have been accused of involvement in politics, as well as sex abuse and involvement with slavery.
Yes, Pope Francis, elected in 2013, was the first Jesuit pope.
