The Society of Jesus (The Jesuits)
Who are Jesuits?
The Society of Jesus is a Catholic religious order of priests and brothers, founded nearly five centuries ago by St Ignatius of Loyola, a soldier-turned-mystic whose deep spiritual conversion shaped one of the most influential movements in the Church. Members of the Society are commonly known as Jesuits.
The Society took shape through the shared vision and commitment of Ignatius and his companions, whose lives were marked by prayer, discernment, and readiness for mission. On 15 August 1534, at Montmartre in Paris, Ignatius and six companions bound themselves by vows of poverty, chastity, and a resolve to place themselves at the service of God wherever they might be sent. When their initial plan to travel to the Holy Land proved impossible, they placed themselves at the disposal of the Pope for any apostolic work. The Society of Jesus received canonical approval in 1540, marking the formal establishment of the order within the Church.
Foundations and Way of Life
In approving the Society, the Church authorised the framing of a distinctive way of life rooted in spiritual depth and apostolic availability. Over time, St Ignatius developed a comprehensive body of writings that guide Jesuit life and mission. These include the Spiritual Exercises, the Constitutions of the Society of Jesus, and other official directives that together shape Jesuit formation, governance, and apostolic practice.
The Constitutions reflect a careful balance between deep trust in God’s guidance and a realistic understanding of the need for structure. They outline how Jesuits are formed, incorporated, sent on mission, and governed, so that the Society may remain faithful, united, and responsive to the needs of the world. In the vision of St Ignatius, Jesuits are called to “find God in all things” and to serve with freedom, discipline, and generosity.
Purpose and Mission
The fundamental purpose of the Society of Jesus is the greater glory of God and the service of humanity. Jesuits commit themselves to this mission not in isolation, but in collaboration with others who share similar values and aspirations. Over time, lay collaborators, partners, and communities have become an integral part of the extended Jesuit mission.
Today, the Society of Jesus serves across continents, cultures, and contexts, engaging with some of the most pressing challenges of our time through education, pastoral ministry, social action, intellectual engagement, and accompaniment of the marginalized.
A Life of Service in Many Forms
Jesuits serve in a wide range of roles, reflecting the Society’s openness to diverse gifts and talents. They are educators, retreat directors, pastors, social workers, doctors, administrators, researchers, writers, scientists, artists, and companions to those on the margins of society. Whatever the role, the commitment remains the same: to serve with humility, competence, and deep faith.
