Foundation of the Society of Jesus

The Society of Jesus is a Catholic male religious order founded by Saint Ignatius of Loyola from the Basque region in northern Spain, and a group of six like-minded students at the University of Paris, including Saint Francis Xavier. Its foundation was formally approved by Pope Paul III in 1540.
Inspired by the order’s charism of departing to all corners of the world to help others when sent by the Pope, Jesuits voyaged to North and South America, Africa, India, and beyond. Those missionaries were also commissioned to the Council of Trent, convened to reform the Catholic Church.

Educational Initiatives

Right from the order’s founding, Jesuits recognized that school-based education made a tremendous contribution to shaping individuals and enhancing social and spiritual values.
Beginning with a Jesuit College opened in Messina, Sicily, in 1548, 31 schools and universities were established in major European cities over the eight years until the death of Ignatius in 1556, and Jesuit educational institutes spread around the world. Their educational methods shape character guided by the “Spiritual Exercises” written by Ignatius based on his own spiritual experiences. These focus on “magis,” the concept of gaining deeper human understanding and educating people to live “for others and with others.” Over 1.7 million students study in the 3,400 and more Jesuit schools and their associate schools, that are grounded in this educational philosophy.