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Jesuits

This article is about the Society of Jesus, also known as Jesuit Order. For philosophy concerning the teachings of Jesus, see Jesuism. For the band, see Jesuit (band). For the pastry, see Jésuite. For the sandwich, see Jesuita (sandwich).

Society of Jesus
Latin: Societas Jesu
AbbreviationSJ
NicknameJesuits
Formation27 September 1540 (1540-09-27)[1]
Founders
Founded at
TypeOrder of clerics regular of pontifical right (for men)[1]
HeadquartersGeneralate:
Borgo S. Spirito 4, 00195 Prati, Rome, Italy
Coordinates41°54′4.9″N 12°27′38.2″E / 41.901361°N 12.460611°E / 41.901361; 12.460611
Region served
Worldwide
Members
13,995 (2024)[1]
Motto
Latin: Ad Maiorem Dei Gloriam
English: For the Greater Glory of God
Fr. Arturo Sosa, SJ
Patron saints
Ministry
Missionary, educational, literary works
Main organ
La Civiltà Cattolica
Parent organization
Catholic Church
Websitewww.jesuits.global
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The Society of Jesus (Latin: Societas Iesu; abbreviation: SJ), also known as the Jesuit Order or the Jesuits (/ˈdʒɛʒuɪts, ˈdʒɛzju-/ JEZH-oo-its, JEZ-ew-;[2] Latin: Iesuitae),[3] is a religious order of clerics regular of pontifical right for men in the Catholic Church headquartered in Rome. It was founded in 1540 by Ignatius of Loyola and six companions, with the approval of Pope Paul III. The society is engaged in evangelization and apostolic ministry in 112 nations. Jesuits work in education, research, and cultural pursuits. Jesuits also conduct retreats, minister in hospitals and parishes, sponsor direct social and humanitarian ministries, and promote ecumenical dialogue.

The Society of Jesus is consecrated under the patronage of Madonna della Strada, a title of the Blessed Virgin Mary, and it is led by a superior general.[4][5] The headquarters of the society, its general curia, is in Rome.[6] The historic curia of Ignatius is now part of the Collegio del Gesù attached to the Church of the Gesù, the Jesuit mother church.

Members of the Society of Jesus make profession of "perpetual poverty, chastity, and obedience" and "promise a special obedience to the sovereign pontiff in regard to the missions" to the effect that a Jesuit is expected to be directed by the pope "perinde ac cadaver" ("as if he was a lifeless body") and to accept orders to go anywhere in the world, even if required to live in extreme conditions. This was so because Ignatius, its leading founder, was a nobleman who had a military background. Accordingly, the opening lines of the founding document declared that the society was founded for "whoever desires to serve as a soldier of God,[a] to strive especially for the defense and propagation of the faith, and for the progress of souls in Christian life and doctrine".[7] Jesuits are thus sometimes referred to colloquially as "God's soldiers",[8] "God's marines",[9] or "the Company".[10] The society participated in the Counter-Reformation and, later, in the implementation of the Second Vatican Council.

Jesuit missionaries established missions around the world from the 16th to the 18th century and had both successes and failures in Christianizing the native peoples. The Jesuits have always been controversial within the Catholic Church and have frequently clashed with secular governments and institutions. Beginning in 1759, the Catholic Church expelled Jesuits from most countries in Europe and from European colonies. Pope Clement XIV officially suppressed the order in 1773. In 1814, the Church lifted the suppression.

  1. ^ a b c "Society of Jesus (Institute of Consecrated Life – Men) [Catholic-Hierarchy]". www.catholic-hierarchy.org. Archived from the original on 23 January 2003. Retrieved 15 October 2018.
  2. ^ "Jesuit". Dictionary.com Unabridged (Online). n.d.
  3. ^ "Jesuit". Cambridge Dictionary of English. Cambridge University Press. Archived from the original on 3 May 2022. Retrieved 22 May 2021.
  4. ^ "News on the elections of the new Superior General". Sjweb.info. Archived from the original on 25 April 2023. Retrieved 4 December 2011.
  5. ^ "africa.reuters.com, Spaniard becomes Jesuits' new 'black pope'". Reuters. 9 February 2009. Archived from the original on 3 January 2009. Retrieved 4 December 2011.
  6. ^ "The General Curia". Archived from the original on 6 October 2022. Retrieved 7 October 2022.
  7. ^ O'Malley 2006, p. xxxv.
  8. ^ "Poverty and Chastity for Every Occasion". Weekend Edition Saturday. National Public Radio. 5 March 2010. Archived from the original on 20 June 2013. Retrieved 15 May 2013.
  9. ^ "The Jesuits: 'God's marines'". The Week. New York. 23 March 2013. Archived from the original on 11 June 2017. Retrieved 19 June 2017.
  10. ^ "About Our Jesuits". Atlanta, Georgia: Ignatius House Retreat Center. Archived from the original on 11 April 2013. Retrieved 15 May 2013.


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