The Society of Jesus was founded on August 15th, 1534 in Paris, France, by Ignatius Loyola and a band of six other students at the University of Paris. In 1541, Pope Paul III officially recognized the Jesuits. The Jesuits are missionaries and teachers, and are the largest male Catholic religious order in the world. The organization is considered the most significant Catholic response to the Protestant Reformation.
At the time of the founding of Maryland, the Jesuits were active in England, where they were under constant threat of arrest and execution. The Society founded universities and colleges on the continent during the 16th and 17th centuries, and provided training to English Catholics. Their mission activities stretched from Europe to China, India, Japan, and throughout the Americas.
In 1773, the Society of Jesus was officially suppressed by the Pope as a result of political intrigue. In 1814, the suppression was lifted and the Jesuits resumed their efforts around the world.
[Timeline:]
1534
Loyola and his Colleagues Found the Idea of the Jesuits
1541
The Pope Officially Recognizes the Jesuits as a Catholic Order
1552
Francis Xavier Dies While Attempting to Reach Mainland China
1568
Construction of the Gesú, Mother Church of the Society, Begins in Rome
1622
Ignatius Loyola and Francis Xavier are Canonized as the First Jesuit Saints
1634
Jesuit Priests, Andrew White and John Altham, Arrive in Maryland. The Society goes on to the Largest Land Owner in the Colony Outside of the Calvert Family
1773
Jesuit Order Suppressed by Pope Clement XIV
1789
John Carroll, Trained as a Jesuit. Becomes the First Roman Catholic Bishop in the United States
1814
Suppression of the Jesuits Revoked by Pope Pius VII
1848
Jesuits Banned from Switzerland—the Ban was not Lifted Until 1973
1961
After 327 Years as the Principal Roman Catholic Clergy, the Jesuits Begin Withdrawing from Southern Maryland
2009
Jesuits Sell 4,500 acres to the State of Maryland to Fund Their Members in Retirement
[Aside:]
In 1970, the Vatican canonized 40 individuals to represent the many Roman Catholics who were the victims of religious oppression in England and Wale from 1535 to 1679. Of the forty chosen, one-quarter were members of the Society of Jesus. These included:
Alexander Briant, 1556-1581
Edmund Campion, 1540,1581
Robert Southwell, 1561-1595
Henry Walpole, 1558-1595
Nicholas Owen, 1540-1606
Thomas Garnet, 1575-1608
Edmund Arrowsmith, 1585-1628
Henry Morse, 1595-1644
Philip Evans, 1645-1679
David Lewis, 1616-1679
October 25th is the official feast day.
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