Companions of Jesus

On June 24, 1537 Ignatius and most of his companions were ordained priests. In the following eighteen months they acquired experiences in ministry, while they also dedicated a long time to prayer. During those months, in spite of still not have celebrated his first Mass, Ignatius had one of the most decisive experiences of his life. He related to his companions how, on a certain day, while praying in the Chapel of La Storta, close to Rome, he seemed to have seen Christ with the cross on his shoulders and next to him, the Eternal Father, who said: It is "my will that you take that man as your servant." And Jesus took him and said: It is "my will that you serve us."

In 1539 Ignatius and his companions decided to form a permanent union, taking vow of obedience to a superior elected by them, in addition to the vows of poverty, chastity, and obedience to the Supreme Roman Pontiff that they had already previously done. In 1540 Pope Paul III approved the plan of a new order and Loyola was chosen among the companions for the position of Superior General.

The Society of Jesus grew quickly. When Ignatius died, there was about a thousand Jesuits dispersed into twelve administrative units, called provinces: three in Italy, three in Spain, two in Germany, one in France, one in Portugal and two overseas, in India and Brazil. Ignatius of Loyola's last years were concerned a great deal with Germany and India, where he sent his famous followers Peter Canisius and Francis Xavier. He also sent missionaries to the Congo and Ethiopia. In 1546 Ignatius of Loyola privately received Francis Bórgia into the Society, Duke of Gandía and Viceroy of Catalonia. When that fact became public four years later, there was some reaction. Bórgia organized the Spanish provinces and became the third General of the Order.

Ignatius of Loyola left his mark in Rome. He established the School of Rome, the beginnings of the Gregorian University, and the Germanicum, a seminary for German candidates to the priesthood. He also established a house to aid and save the souls of destitute women and another house for converted Jews.