Founded by St. Ignatius of Loyola in 1540, the Jesuits today have about 20,000 members worldwide. Among its first members was St. Francis Xavier.
The term "Jesuit" come from a combination of the Latin words Jesu and Itu, which translates, "Yes, Jesus."
Since Jesuits make a promise not to seek offices of honor or prestige, the 2013 election of Argentinian Cardinal Jose Mario Bergoglio (a Jesuit) as pope might seem inconsistent with that. Jesuits can, however, accept posts of honor or prestige as a way of being "obedient priests."
On this day in 2006, Pope Benedict XVI greeted thousands of Jesuits on pilgrimage to Rome, and thanked God "for having granted to your company the gift of men of extraordinary sanctity and of exceptional apostolic zeal such as St. Ignatius of Loyola, st. Francis Xavier and Blessed Peter Faber." Peter Faber was canonized in December 2013.
- Little White Book, Diocese of Saginaw