Ignatius Loyola founded the religious order named the ‘Society of Jesus’. The Jesuits, a religious apostolic community, were involved in the establishment of Jesus’ society (Noll, 2022, p.201). They are people who are rooted in Christ’s love and enlivened by the visions of spirits of their founder, St. Ignatius of Loyola. Their main goal is to assist others in their quest for God in all things. Six students were influenced by his influence to take chastity and poverty vows and make plans to work for the conversion of Muslims. The society of Jesus flourished under the charismatic leadership of Ignatius. Loyola’s Jesuit missionaries were instrumental in the Counter-Reformation, allowing them to reclaim many of the European faithful lost to Protestantism. His work was regarded as the most significant response to John Calvin and Martin Luther (Noll, 2022, p.202). After being ordained by a priest in Rome in 1937, Loyola devoted much of his time developing Jesus’ activity as the first general Order.
After several thoughts, he was determined that the existing Order could not do his work and needed to form his own. His other responsibility was to guarantee that the Jesuit organization was well-organized and that all followers were familiar with his constitution and spiritual exercises. He made self-examination and education the center of the movement, and after many years of preparation, a Jesuit complete preparedness was deemed capable of carrying out the world’s job. The exercises consisted of a four-week meditation on the life of Christ, with the spiritual goal formation. They provided the backdrop for spiritual retreats, and they would continue to shape the spiritual direction of the Jesuits (Noll, 2022, p.204). By the time he died in 1556, there were approximately 1000 Jesuits divided among eleven groups. The majority of the unit (9 members) were from Europe, with two members from Brazil and the Far East.
Ignatius of Loyola revolutionized the Roman Catholic church in quality terms by introducing Jesuits and played a crucial part in the Counter-Reformation. By 1550, he had designated the Order’s primary goal as aggressive opposition to the protestant Reformation, and he had dedicated his efforts to that aim (Noll, 2022, p.206). In addition, Ignatius directed the Jesuits to concentrate their efforts on bodily works of charity and catechesis, such as the construction of schools, hospitals, and the provision of the needy. His second contribution was the expansion of educational endeavors into German territory, including the establishment of colleges in different European cities.
Reference
Noll, M. (2012). Turning points (2nd ed.). Baker Academic.