July 1, 2017
Devotions: Timeline of the Reformation: The Society of Jesus 1534

The Jesuit movement was founded by Ignatius de Loyola, a Spanish soldier turned priest, in August 1534. Ignatius and six of his students formed the first Jesuits as they called themselves. They took vows of poverty and chastity and made initial plans to convert Muslims. Because of the Turkish wars they were unable to travel to Jerusalem and so they went to Rome to meet with the Pope Paul III. In September of 1540, the Pope gave them permission to form a new order, and the Jesuits were born. The Society of Jesus grew quickly due to Ignatius’ charisma. The Jesuits played a major role in the Counter-Reformation and were able to bring many people who had switched to Protestantism back to the Catholic Church. Jesuits were sent to India, Brazil, the Congo and Ethiopia.
Education was of utmost importance to the Jesuits, and in Rome Ignatius founded the Roman College (later called the Gregorian University) and the Germanicum, a school for German priests. The Jesuits also ran several charitable organizations, such as one for former prostitutes and one for converted Jews. When Ignatius de Loyola died in July 1556, there were more than 1,000 Jesuit priests. The life of the Jesuit was one of immense risk, and many were persecuted or killed by foreign authorities. They would be dissolved by Pope Clement in 1773, but reestablished as an order in 1814 by Pope Pius VII. Ignatius de Loyola was canonized a Catholic saint in 1622. (much of this devotion came from history.com; Jesuit Order Established, This Day in History, September 27 – it was adopted and adapted for the needs of this writer)

Pastor Dave