What is the meaning of Jesuit vows?

The Jesuit takes religious vows which are apostolic. He commits himself until death to the evangelical counsels of poverty, chastity and obedience. This is so that he may be totally united to Christ and share his own freedom to be at the service of all God’s people. And so, the Jesuit formalizes this commitment, by public vows of poverty, chastity and obedience.

In binding the Jesuits, the vows set them free:

• Free by their vow of poverty to share the life of the poor, relying on God’s providence, and to use whatever resources they may have not for their own security and comfort but for service;
• Free by their vow of chastity to be men for others, in friendship and communion with all, but especially with those who share their mission of service;
• Free by their vow of obedience to respond to the call of Christ, as made known to them by him whom the Spirit has placed over the church, and to follow the lead of their superiors, especially the Father General, who has all authority over them.

Moreover, following Ignatius they have asked Christ our Lord to let them render this service in a manner that gives them a personality of their own. They have chosen to give it in the form of a consecrated life, placing themselves at the service not only of the local churches but of the universal church, by a special vow of obedience to his who presides over the universal church, namely, the pope.