Who are the Jesuits?
You have a short narrative here; and on the following pages, you can see some pictures, some text, some quotes, to serve as a brief introduction.
The Jesuits
The Society of Jesus is a religious order founded by Saint Ignatius Loyola. Designated by him "The Company of Jesus" to indicate its true leader, the title was Latinized into "Societas Jesu" in the Bull of Pope Paul III approving its formation and the first formula of its Institute ("Regimini militantis ecclesia", September 27, 1540). The term "Jesuit" is of fifteenth-century origin, meaning one who used too frequently or appropriated the name of Jesus. It was first applied to the Society in reproach, and was never employed by its founder, though members and friends of the Society in time accepted the name in its good sense.
Ignatius and his first companions are the beginnings of the life of the Society of Jesus. In 1534, Ignatius went to Paris to enroll as a student in philosophy and theology, convinced that God was calling him to be a priest to serve the Church. He was also convinced that learning was essential to his work and ministry. In Paris, he met fellow students who slowly became attached to him and his devout way of life. It was here that Ignatius met Francis Xavier, Pierre Favre, Diego Lainez, Alfonso Salmeron, Nicolas Bobadilla, Simão Rodriquez, Claude Jay, Jean Codure, and Paschase Brouet. These 10 men would be the ones to decide that their "friendship in the Lord" was so precious that it should be preserved, strengthened, and cherished. This was the beginning of the Society of Jesus.
At the conclusion of the seminal document outlining the spirituality and direction of this new congregation in the Church ("The Formula of the Institute"), Ignatius wrote: "And may Christ deign to be favorable to these our tender beginnings, to the glory of God the Father, to whom alone be glory and honor forever. Amen."
When Ignatius explained in this basic document "about our profession in a kind of sketch," both for the Holy See and for those who ask about his plan of life, he realistically added:
"By experience we have learned that the path has many and great difficulties connected with it. Consequently we have judged it opportune to decree that no one should be permitted to pronounce his profession in this Society unless his life and doctrine have been probed by long and exacting tests (as will be explained in the Constitutions). For in all truth this Institute requires men who are thoroughly humble and prudent in Christ as well as conspicuous in the integrity of Christian life and learning."
And so began the proverbial "long training" that it takes to make a formed Jesuit. From novitiate, to university, to work experience, to theology, to priesthood, perhaps followed by specialized studies, it is a long journey. But one well worth the efforts.