Search Results for: Moral

Decree 6: “The Formation of Jesuits,” General Congregation 32 (1975)

The delegates to the 32nd General Congregation approved the following decree, a lengthy statement on the process of Jesuit formation in light of the “many changes in the world at large.” The influence of those changes meant that “constant adaptation is required in order to be sure of achieving the essential purpose of our formation.” […]

Decree 6: “The Formation of Jesuits,” General Congregation 32 (1975) Read More »

Decree 32: “The Social Apostolate,” General Congregation 31 (1966)

The Jesuits’ social apostolate was addressed by the 28th, 29th, and 30th general congregations. Yet, according to Jesuit historian John Padberg, the following decree, promulgated by the 31st General Congregation, sought to “repair certain defects in our legislation on social matters” (see the congregation’s historical preface in Jesuit Life & Mission Today (2009), pg. 29). The

Decree 32: “The Social Apostolate,” General Congregation 31 (1966) Read More »

Decree 28: “The Apostolate of Education,” General Congregation 31 (1966)

The delegates at the 31st General Congregation were asked by their fellow Jesuits to articulate how they ought to teach at colleges and universities, according to Jesuit historian John Padberg, “in the light of the characteristics of our vocation and in the light of the theological doctrine on the character and office of the priest

Decree 28: “The Apostolate of Education,” General Congregation 31 (1966) Read More »

Decree 16: “Chastity in the Society of Jesus,” General Congregation 31 (1966)

For the Jesuit delegates at the 31st General Congregation, consecrated chastity was a “gift” from God, “a sign of charity and likewise a stimulus to it.” Those delegates, nevertheless, also issued the following decree to acknowledge how contemporary attitudes and contexts have caused “new problems” on the topic. The decree urges the new superior general

Decree 16: “Chastity in the Society of Jesus,” General Congregation 31 (1966) Read More »

Decree 15: “Devotion to the Sacred Heart of Jesus,” General Congregation 31 (1966)

The Second Vatican Council asked religious institutes to help spread the love of and the devotion to the Sacred Heart of Jesus. In response on behalf of their Jesuit brethren, the delegates of the 31st General Congregation of the Society of Jesus affirmed the Sacred Heart as “the center of our own spiritual lives.” Yet,

Decree 15: “Devotion to the Sacred Heart of Jesus,” General Congregation 31 (1966) Read More »

Decree 8: “The Spiritual Formation of Jesuits,” General Congregation 31 (1966)

According to historian John Padberg’s historical account of the congregation, Jesuits sent more than 160 postulata (or petitions) on the topic their brethren’s spiritual formation for consideration at the 31st General Congregation (see Jesuit Life & Mission Today (2009), pg. 18–19). That formation, the following decree observes, “is the work of divine grace,” helping Jesuits in

Decree 8: “The Spiritual Formation of Jesuits,” General Congregation 31 (1966) Read More »

August 2017: New Translation of The Duties of a Teacher

Jesuit Sources has published a new English translation of The Duties of a Teacher, a handbook issued by the National Education Commission of the Polish-Lithuanian Commonwealth in 1787. Duties was written by Grzegorz Piramowicz, a former Jesuit teacher who sought to guide how grammar school teachers could serve the larger society. According to the publisher, Piramowicz “lays out a

August 2017: New Translation of The Duties of a Teacher Read More »

Cum Ex Plurium (1539)

“The founding of the Society of Jesus,” Jesuit historian Joseph Conwell has argued, “begins with a discernment process.” The fruits of that process of discernment appear in the following document, Cum ex plurim, written by Ignatius and his companions in 1539. The document articulates the founders’ vision for what became the Jesuit order. Indeed, five

Cum Ex Plurium (1539) Read More »

Letter of Pope Benedict XVI to Father General Peter-Hans Kolvenbach on General Congregation 35 (2008)

The delegates of the 35th General Congregation had been in session just three days when they received a letter of greeting from Pope Benedict XVI. The pontiff expresses his hope that “the present Congregation affirms with clarity the authentic charism of the Founder so as to encourage all Jesuits to promote true and healthy Catholic

Letter of Pope Benedict XVI to Father General Peter-Hans Kolvenbach on General Congregation 35 (2008) Read More »

Scroll to Top