The Jesuits: The History and Legacy of the Catholic Church's Society of Jesus

*Includes pictures *Includes contemporary accounts of the Jesuits *Includes online resources and a bibliography for further reading *Includes a table of contents “Ite, inflammate omnia.” (“Go, set the world on fire.” – St. Ignatius of Loyola Naturally, the outraged public began to condemn the Catholic Church for its longstanding corruption, and chaos ensued. It was during this period of tempestuous tension that a legendary religious order would emerge. The Middle Ages remains one of the most defining eras of human civilization. It is an era characterized by illustrious monarchs, valiant knights in shining armor, and magnificent Gothic architecture. It is also an era characterized by fervent friction, brutish barbarism, frequent famines, pestilent plagues, and of course, death. Some say the mortality rate in medieval times was like no other; with about a third of all children dying before the age of 5, it was nearly miraculous for one to live past their 40s. As a result, medieval people spent their entire lives preparing for the inevitability of death and the afterlife, hoping to one day make their way into the kingdom of Heaven. The Catholic Church did little to alleviate the fear of Hell, a common theme in the sermons delivered by stern priests across Europe. The only surefire way into Heaven, they preached, was for one to pledge their undying love and support to God, with extra points available for the sums and contributions one was willing to gift to the church. Of all of the important Catholic men and women who have been venerated over the last 2,000 years, one of the faith’s most popular and influential men also lived one of the most unique lives. Like Roman Emperor Constantine the Great, St. Ignatius of Loyola (1491-1556) found God about as far away from church as possible; it was during military service that he underwent a remarkable conversion. A Spanish knight who hailed from a noble Basque family, Ignatius seemed destined for military glory until he was badly wounded in 1521 during the Battle of Pamplona. While convalescing, Ignatius began reading De Vita Christi by Ludolph of Saxony, after which he began a tireless career in service of the Catholic Church.