Who are the Jesuits?
The Society of Jesus is the largest religious order of men in the Catholic Church. The Jesuits, as they are commonly known, were founded in 1540 by St. Ignatius Loyola—a Basque nobleman and soldier—and seven of his companions, who placed themselves at the disposal of the Holy Father for the service of the Church wherever the need was greatest. Today there are nearly 20,000 Jesuits serving the Church in 112 nations on six continents.
Jesuit priests and brothers have lived an amazing story of serving the Church in new and unexpected ways. They are still men on the move, ready to change place, occupation, method--whatever will advance their mission in the Church. They are expected to do anything or go anywhere to teach Jesus Christ and preach his Good News.
Today that "they" has expanded to include men and women who share this vision of service to faith and to the justice that faith demands. Together Jesuits and lay partners place themselves in the presence of the God who created all people and ask themselves the questions that St. Ignatius suggested to his first companions during the period of prayer that led to their permanent companionship:
What have I done for Christ?
What am I doing for Christ?
What will I do for Christ?
Jesuits of the Missouri Province staff St. Francis Xavier parish in Kansas City, Missouri.