Society of Jesus
Also called: Jesuits · Topic: Renaissance, Reformation and the Scientific Revolution · NCERT: Class 11, Ch 3 "Changing Traditions"; Class 11, Ch 5 "Changing Cultural Traditions"; Class 11, Ch 7 "Paths to Modernisation"
Meaning
The Society of Jesus is a Catholic religious order whose members are called Jesuits. It was founded by Ignatius Loyola of Spain and was approved by the Pope in 1540. It was part of the Catholic Reformation, the Church's effort to reform itself from within and fight Protestantism. Jesuits were to serve the poor and to widen knowledge of other cultures. They became famous as teachers and missionaries around the world.
Example
In the late 16th century, the Jesuit Matteo Ricci went to China. He brought Western science, such as maps and astronomy, to the Chinese court.
Don't confuse with
- Protestant Reformation: Jesuits worked to defend and strengthen the Catholic Church. The Protestant reformers, such as Luther and Calvin, broke away from it.
Related concepts
- Christian humanism
- Thomas More
- Erasmus
- Indulgences
- Donation of Constantine
- Martin Luther
- Ninety-Five Theses
- Protestant Reformation
- John Calvin
- English Reformation