The Society of Jesus

Sarah DeMarcoKelsi Black

Emily PhilipponJason Antonelli

Characteristics of the Order

The Jesuits strive to live like Jesus did. They stress prayer and reflection in order to learn what God wants from them. The most important characteristics of the Jesuits are loving obedience, an open-hearted desire to find God’s plan, forgive others, and use our talents to bring about faith, hope, and love.

Founder

Ignatius Loyola, also known as Saint Ignatius was the founder of The Society of Jesus. St. Ignatius was originally a soldier, but after being badly injured he could not find any purpose in his life. He began studying Jesus and the saints and later had a vision of the Virgin Mary and baby Jesus. In 1523, he started on a pilgrimage to share his love and knowledge. Pope Paul III licensed The Society of Jesus in 1540.

Mission

The mission of Jesuits worldwide is to become Christ’s hands and to live out his word. They serve both the Lord and their Church, defend and extend their faith (preach), keep vows, and perform works of charity “according to what will seem expedient for the glory of God and the common good.” Members serve in 112 nations on six continents.

Lifestyle of the Jesuits

• Cannot start training before the age of 17 or after 50

• Women cannot join• Groups of women who share the

same spirituality

• Cannot join if in credit card debt

• Little possessions while entering

• Either live in large or very small communities

• Jesuit-style cassock (wrap around the body)

• Roman collar• Involved in community

affairs• Very simple lifestyle (little

material possessions)• Intact with other

members (brotherhood)• Keeping to vows

Today

Today, the Society of Jesus is very much alive and intact. Locations vary all around the world, from London to China to Canada and beyond. Activities range from preaching and doing charity/community activities (to benefit the needy) to extending their memberships to everyone willing to join. Jesuits numbered 19,216 in 2007, with 13,491 priests, 3,049 scholastics (students), 1,810 brothers, and 866 novices.

How to Join

• The first two years are spent studying in communities, working among the poor, teaching catechism, studying the life/writings of St. Ignatious, and applying vows of poverty, chastity, and obedience, along with taking a 30-day silent retreat

• After pronouncing vows, men move into a house of studies with others to integrate their spiritual and intellectual life and to continue working on their community activities.

How to Join

• After intensive studying, students are missioned to an apostolic assignment to serve for several years in a ministry of the Society. They gain experience and skills for later ministry which deepen their call to priestly ordination.

• Coming out of their Regency work, the Jesuit Scholastic returns to studies to prepare directly for priestly ordination. They usually spend 3 years before priestly ordination in one of the theologates of the Society.

How to Join

• The students then go into a period of preparation for final vows in the Society of Jesus. During this time (usually 6 months to a year), the Jesuit studies the foundational documents of the Society of Jesus, make the 30-day silent retreat, and spend time in active ministry among the poor.

Interesting Facts

• Notable Jesuits include St. Francis Xavier, Jose de Anchieta and Manuel da Nobrega (founders of Sao Paulo), and Eusebio Kino, who founded numerous missions.

• There are 28 Jesuit colleges and universitties in the United States, including Gonzaga University, Zavier University, Seattle University, Georgetown University, and Boston College.

Interesting Facts

• The Mission, The Exorcist, and Black Robe are all films in popular culture that pertain to the Society of Jesus and their members.

• Jesuits are also known for their involvements in publications like La Civilta Cattolica and Ignatius Press.

Works Cited

• http://www.norprov.org/spirituality/• http://www.jesuitvocations.org.uk/your-questi

ons/• http://www.historylearningsite.co.uk/Jesuits.h

tm• http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Society_of_Jesus

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