Jesuits in Britain

GB

The Jesuits, also known as the Society of Jesus, are an international religious order of men within the Catholic Church. Jesuits take vows of poverty, chastity and obedience, and live together in community. Mission To help souls through the service of faith and promotion of social justice. Description Founded in 1540 by Ignatius of Loyola and nine companions, the Society now numbers just under 20,000 men and is present in more than 100 countries. The head of the Order is the Superior General, Fr Arturo Sosa based in Rome. The head of the Order in Britain is the Provincial, Fr Damian Howard. In Britain the Jesuits run schools, parishes, centres of spirituality, university colleges, university chaplaincies and volunteering missions. Jesuits are at work throughout Scotland, England and Wales, and there are British branches of the international Jesuit Refugee Service and Jesuit Missions.