who were the jesuits

The Jesuits, formally known as the Society of Jesus, are a male Roman Catholic religious order founded in 1534 by St. Ignatius of Loyola and officially approved by the pope in 1540. They are known for their educational, missionary, and charitable work across the world. The Jesuits emphasize a spirituality focused on discernment and "finding God in all things." They have historically been influential in the Counter-Reformation and modernizing the Catholic Church. Jesuits take vows of chastity, poverty, obedience, and special obedience to the pope. Beyond education, Jesuits engage in sciences, social justice, charity, and missionary activities globally.