Although Pedro Arrupe SJ, 28th Superior General of the Jesuits, is usually credited with effecting a seismic shift in the Society’s understanding of its mission in the aftermath of the Second Vatican Council, one should not underestimate the work of his predecessor, Jean-Baptiste Janssens, in laying the ground for this work. Fr Janssens was Superior General for eighteen years, from ...
Read More »Inspirational Jesuits
Saint Francis Borgia
The third Superior General of the Jesuits, Saint Francis Borgia, played a critical role in the spread of the Society of Jesus throughout the world during its formative years, particularly with respect to the founding of colleges and centres of education.
Read More »Alfred Delp
Alfred Delp was a German Jesuit who strongly opposed the Nazi regime in favour of a more tolerant and humane Germany, and he was ultimately killed for his Catholic principles.
Read More »Saint Alberto Hurtado
Saint Alberto Hurtado is revered in his home country of Chile for his work on behalf of the poor and workers there. His ministries have continued long after his death.
Read More »Friedrich Spee
Friedrich Spee wrote the influential book, Cautio Criminalis (Precautions for Prosecutors), opposing how witch trials were conducted, eventually helping to bring about the ending of its practice.
Read More »Saint Ignatius of Loyola
Saint Ignatius of Loyola was the founder of the Society of Jesus; he created an order which has created innovators and thinkers, and spread faith and charity across the globe.
Read More »Saint Alphonsus Rodriguez
Alphonsus Rodriguez had a family of his own before entering the Jesuits as a Brother. He radiated a calm sense of holiness in his role as porter and doorkeeper in Majorca.
Read More »Giuseppe Castiglione
In Church missions there is often a clash of cultures between that of the missionary and that of the people to whom he brings the Gospel. For a missionary, finding a middle ground can be important in order to best communicate across this culture gap, and this is not always found through religion. A celebrated artist, Giuseppe Castiglione SJ achieved ...
Read More »Peter Kenney
Peter Kenney was an Irish Jesuit credited with restoring the Society of Jesus in Ireland after their suppression, as well as with establishing several colleges and devoting much of his life to the education of youth.
Read More »John Corridan
John Corridan challenged corrupt union officials and Irish gangsters on the docks of New York City in the 1940s and 1950s, giving voice to the plight of the ordinary dock workers.
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