Jesuits, << JEHZH u ihts or JEHZ uh wihts, >> are members of a Roman Catholic order (religious community) of men. The official name of the order is the Society of Jesus (SJ). The Jesuits are especially noted for their work in education . The order operates many schools, colleges, and universities throughout the world. It also has produced many important explorers, missionaries, scientists, theologians (scholars who study God and religion), and writers. In addition, many Jesuits have been canonized (declared saints) in the Roman Catholic Church.
Governance and membership
. The general characteristics and goals of the Jesuits are expressed in a document called the Formula of the Institute. The Constitutions, an elaboration of the Formula, describes how the order should achieve its goals. A superior general, elected for life, leads the Jesuits from Rome. Provincials appointed by the superior general govern specific geographic areas called provinces. They usually serve six-year terms. Within the provinces, Jesuit communities are assigned to specific areas of work. General Congregations meet to elect new superiors general and to adapt the Constitutions to contemporary needs.
The formation of a Jesuit priest begins with a two-year novitiate (training period). Upon completion of the novitiate, Jesuits take vows of poverty, chastity, and obedience. Chastity means avoiding sexual relations. Following ordination, priests undergo further training and take solemn or final vows. Some Jesuit priests are permitted to take an additional vow of special obedience to the pope. Jesuit priests’ training also includes several years’ study of literature, philosophy, science, and theology.
Not all Jesuits become priests. Those who are not ordained are called brothers. Their formation generally includes training for a specific job. Their expertise in such fields as administration, architecture, art, and construction has played a crucial role in advancing the Jesuits’ work. Today, Jesuit brothers do such jobs as teaching, working in astronomy, building mission churches, and working in orphanages and refugee centers.
Work of the Jesuits.
Throughout history, the Jesuits have turned to schools as a means of advancing Christianity . Their schools became well known for teaching a combination of classical studies, contemporary science, and Christian values.
The Jesuits also became known for their work as explorers, missionaries, and scientists and for advancing social welfare. Famous Jesuit explorers and missionaries have included Jacques Marquette of France, who charted the upper Mississippi River in the 1600’s; the Italians Ippolito Desideri and Matteo Ricci, who traveled to Tibet and China, respectively, from the 1500’s to the 1700’s; and the Spaniard Francis Xavier , who also went to Asia in the 1500’s.
In the sciences, the German Jesuit Christopher Clavius helped create the Gregorian calendar in the late 1500’s. Niccolo Zucchi and Francesco Grimaldi of Italy and Rudjer Boscovich, from what is now Croatia, established foundations for modern astronomy in the 1600’s and 1700’s. The Frenchman Pierre Teilhard de Chardin became a famous paleontologist (expert on prehistoric life) in the 1900’s.
Throughout their history, the Jesuits have also been concerned about the welfare of society. For example, the Spanish missionary Peter Claver helped black slaves in Latin America in the 1600’s. In the United States in the mid-1900’s, John Corridan campaigned against corruption and organized crime in New York City. Jorge Mario Bergoglio, who became Pope Francis in 2013, is known for his commitment to the poor.
History.
The Society of Jesus was established by the Spanish religious leader Ignatius of Loyola in 1534 to advance the Catholic faith. It obtained formal approval from the Catholic Church in 1540. The order distinguished itself by integrating the classical traditions of Latin and Greek literature with contemporary science and technology and by utilizing European exploration to spread Christianity.
By the 1550’s, the Jesuits had become firmly established in Europe. They aroused opposition as their membership and influence grew. In the 1600’s in France, they came into conflict with a powerful religious movement called Jansenism. The Jansenists accused the Jesuits of being too lenient in matters of morality. Conflicts between the Jesuits and the leaders of several European countries led Pope Clement XIV to ban the order in 1773. Pope Pius VII removed the ban in 1814. In the 1900’s, some people criticized the Jesuits’ emphasis on social justice as a type of Marxism. Today, the order has about 17,000 members in dozens of countries. Its growth is particularly strong in Africa and South Asia.
