History of the Jesuits

  • Aug 15, 1534

    The Cofounders of the Society of Jesus make vows

    In Montmartre, Ignatius, along with Francis Xavier and the other members of the not-yet-founded Society of Jesus met, and bound themselves by vows of poverty, chastity, and obedience, but they did not yet form a religious order.
  • 1540

    Pope Paul III approves of a new religious order

    Pope Paul III approves the plan of the new order, and Ignatius was chosen by his companions to be the general of the order.
  • Jul 21, 1556

    St Ignatius Loyola Dies

    St Ignatius Loyola dies of malaria. At this time, there were 1000 Jesuits divided into 12 administrative units, which were then called provinces. They were scattered around the globe - 3 in Spain and Italy, 2 in Germany, India and Brazil, and one in France and Portugal
  • The first 2 Austrian Jesuits set foot in Adelaide

  • The Austrian Mission in Australia

    After the Year of Revolutions in Europe, the Jesuits were expelled from many countries and were blamed as the key factor between an alliance from the throne to the Church.
  • The first House is built in Adelaide, and the Austrian Mission in South Australia Commences

  • The first Catholic boys' school in Sevenhill is built

  • An estimated 9,000 Catholics in the Melbourne Colony

    2 Catholic Churches
  • Large Growth in European Settlement near Sevenhill

    The Bishop assigned the entire north of the colony to the care of the Jesuits in the area. The priests would often set off to provide Mass to the nearby towns.
  • 64 Churches in Victoria

  • The first 2 Irish Jesuits set foot in Melbourne

    100,000 Catholics currently in the Melbourne colony.
  • 19 Jesuit Fathers and Brothers working in Melbourne

    This year they went ti Sydney
  • Messenger of the Sacred Hear Founded

    It was founded by Austrian Jesuits.
  • The first 3 Austrian Jesuits set foot in Darwin

  • The Irish Province had 30% of it's personnel in the Australian Mission

  • Donald MacKillop is forced to leave the Mission

    This happens after he castigated the Europeans for their treatment of the aboriginal people, in quite audacious language.
  • The Austrian Mission merged with the Irish Jesuits

  • Founding of Newman College at the University of Melbourne

  • Australia becomes a Vice-Province

    Fr John Fahey becomes the Superior of the Australian Mission.
  • Australia becomes a Province

    Fr Austin Kelly was named as the first Provincial.
  • The Australian Mission in India Begins

    Fr Austin Kelly founded the Australian Mission in India