We are the Society of Jesus, a Roman Catholic order of priests and brothers founded half a millennium ago by the soldier-turned-mystic Ignatius Loyola. But most people just call us “the Jesuits.”
In the vision of our founder, we seek to “find God in all things.” We dedicate ourselves to the “greater glory of God” and the good of all humanity. And we do so gratefully in collaboration with all people who share our values. Together with our lay colleagues, we seek to build a hope-filled future.
With 14,000-plus priests, brothers, scholastics and novices worldwide, we are one of the largest male religious orders in the Catholic Church. We are pastors, teachers and chaplains. We are also doctors, lawyers and astronomers, among many other roles in Church and society. In our varied ministries, we care for the whole person: body, mind, and soul. And especially in our education ministries, we seek to nurture “men and women for others.”
Jesuits draw on the rich tradition of Ignatian spirituality and discernment. In our retreat centers, parishes, campus ministries and other settings, we offer these resources to all who want to discern God’s presence in their lives. At the same time, we also aim to be “contemplatives in action,” people who bring this spirituality into the world. That includes our work on behalf of global justice, peace and dialogue.
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As members of a religious order, Jesuits take three vows — of poverty, chastity and obedience — and a fourth vow of obedience to the pope specifically in regard to worldwide mission. In other words, Jesuits must be ready to accept whatever mission the Pope requires, a vow that is reflective of our broader dedication to the universal Church, and to the greater good of all people from all faiths and cultures.
Our collaboration with the laity flows from our personal relationships with Christ. We see ourselves as companions of Jesus, and we invite others to join with us as friends in the Lord. Together we build up the body of Christ.
With our friends and partners, we also reach out to a broadly diverse world because that’s where God is. From experience and reflection, we know that meaning, value and divine purpose can be discovered “in all things.”
