Jesuits

Viva Ignatian Spirituality

by Jim Manney

The Washington Post takes note of declining Jesuit numbers in the US, with a focus on Washington DC, but the article has an upbeat tone.  Jesuits may be down, but Ignatian spirituality is up. “Some people outside will see this as a crisis, but we inside don’t see it that way. We see it as [...]

{ 0 comments }

Running the Jesuit Numbers

by Jim Manney

For a a global view of the Society of Jesus, examine The Changing Jesuit Geography, a paper by Thomas P. Gaunt, SJ, executive director of the Center for Applied Research in the Apostolate.  There are 18,266 Jesuits worldwide, about 2000 more than there were in 1910 (but 18,000 fewer than there were in 1965).  The [...]

{ 0 comments }

Ricci's Map

by Jim Manney

In 1602 the Jesuit Matteo Ricci created a map of the world and presented it to the Chinese emperor.   It was the first world map to combine the geographic knowledge of the west and east.  It is now on display the Library of Congress.  Go here for a Times review of the exhibition.  A scalable [...]

{ 0 comments }

Peter Canisius

by Tim Muldoon

December 21 is the feast of another great Jesuit saint, Peter Canisius. Let this post represent a shout-out to Buffalo’s Canisius College and Canisius High School; Jakarta’s Canisius College (secondary school); and Berlin’s Canisius Kolleg (secondary school). The Dutch-born Canisius (1521-1597) was one of the early first-generation Jesuits. He met Pierre Favre, one of Ignatius’ [...]

{ 0 comments }

Weekend Readings

by Jim Manney

Nathan O’Halloran, SJ on Ignatius at the movies. A new online Jesuit magazine, New Jesuit Review. Robert Lauder tackles life’s big question. Michelle Francl-Donnay on rough prayer. Michael Magree, SJ on irony. David Nantais rocks with Bruce Springsteen.

{ 0 comments }

Jesuit Calendar

by Jim Manney

My friend and colleague Jim Campbell recently discovered a Jesuit calendar that’s a great resource for anyone interested in all things Jesuit.  It was developed by Otto Sayre, SJ, a German Jesuit.  The calendar pays special attention to the German history of the Society, but it covers the whole history of the Society, from Ignatius to [...]

{ 1 comment }