Related Terms • Ignatius of Loyola • Counter-Reformation • Pope Clement XIV • Pope Pius VII

Definition:
The label Jesuit is a common one applied to the Society of Jesus, a Roman Catholic order founded by Ignatius of Loyola in the 16th century as part of the wider Catholic Counter-Reformation. The motto of the Jesuits is Ad majorem Dei gloriam ("to the greater glory of God"), and their primary goal is to expand the Roman Catholic Church through preaching and teaching. As a result, education has always been its primary activity.

For the Jesuits, the pursuit of education has not just been a matter of scholarship, but also of combatting heresy. By founding schools at various levels, Jesuit members are able to carefully control the content of the curriculum and the content of the books used. The Jesuits certainly encouraged thinking in their schools, but only for the purpose of drawing closer to God and Church doctrine.

For Jesuits, obedience to Church doctrine is paramount. A member is permitted to doubt, of course, but only express those doubts and disagreements in private. A Jesuit seeks to increase his spiritual discipline in order to ensure his life is dedicated to serving God and the Church.

Jesuit schools spread across Europe and were instrumental in preventing a number of regions from becoming Protestant. By 1640 they had more than 500 colleges throughout Europe - after another century, the number reached 650 in addition to partial or total control of around two dozen different universities.

Their fierce dedication to the Church has lead to a great deal of prejudice against them, especially from nationalistic leaders. Many Jesuits been expelled from various countries over the years. In 1773, Pope Clement XIV briefly suppressed the order because of opposition to them. They were not revived again until 1814 by Pope Pius VII, something which was made easier by the fact that King Frederick II of Prussia and Empress Catherine II of Russia refused to aid in the earlier suppression, allowing the Jesuits to survive on a local basis.

Also Known As: Society of Jesus

Alternate Spellings: none

Common Misspellings: none

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