Jesuit Glossary
A
Ad maiorem Dei gloriam - Often abbreviated "AMDG", a Latin phrase meaning “for the greater glory of God.” It is the motto of the Society of Jesus (the Jesuits) and is attributed to St. Ignatius of Loyola
Apostolic Preferences - See the Universal Apostolic Preferences page.
Arrupe, Pedro - Spanish Jesuit and 28th Superior General of the Society of Jesus (1965–83). He witnessed the atomic bombing of Hiroshima, Japan and led the Society immediately after the Second Vatican Council. He emphasized the importance of the service of faith and the promotion of justice in Jesuit apostolates and founded the Jesuit Refugee Service in 1980 in response to the plight of displaced persons worldwide.
C
Catholic Intellectual Tradition - Refers to both a set of works and a way of viewing and approaching the world that reflects the Catholic imagination and intellect. This way of approaching knowledge (and the search for it) is characterized by: a commitment to the continuity and compatibility of faith and reason; a respect for the cumulative wisdom of the past; inclusivity and non-elitism; an acknowledgement of the communal nature of human life and action; emphasis on education as including integration of character, wisdom, and discernment; a recognition that the transcendent is mediated through material reality, and the accompanying sacramental imagination that sees all created things as potential windows to truth.
Consolation/Desolation - In the teaching of St. Ignatius of Loyola, spiritual consolation and spiritual desolation are two states that may be either intellectual or emotional (or both). Consolation refers to a movement toward God and is characterized by an increase in faith, hope, and/or genuine love of God, self, and others. Desolation is the opposite movement, and is characterized by fear, despair or discouragement, and/or selfishness. Learn more about these concepts. See also discernment.
Constitutions of the Society of Jesus - The founding and guiding document for the Society of Jesus, written by St. Ignatius of Loyola and adopted in 1533.
Contemplative in action - Shortened translation of “contemplative at the same time as in action” (contemplativus simul in actione). St. Ignatius promoted a spiritual practice for busy, active people who continually reflect on the relevance of what they do in terms of their purpose in life. The term conveys the concept of the using the imagination as well as clear thinking when striving for what is perceived as a greater good.
Cura personalis - Latin phrase meaning “care of the person.” Characteristic of Jesuit education that recognizes the individuality of each person and seeks to integrate all aspects of that individuality: intellectual, aesthetic, moral, spiritual, affective, physical, and social.
D
Discernment - Process of making decisions in a context of faith, seeking to choose what is better rather than what is less good. See also discernment of spirits and consolation/desolation.
Discernment of Spirits - A process described by St. Ignatius in the Spiritual Exercises that involves reflection and evaluation of desires, impulses, and other feelings when considering courses of action. This reflection allows the discerner to identify movements of consolation or desolation and respond accordingly.
E
Eloquentia Perfecta - Latin phrase meaning “perfect eloquence”; derived from the 1599 Ratio Studiorum, it refers to the goal of Jesuit education to produce students who are capable of writing, speaking, and communicating for the common good.
Examen - Also sometimes called the “Consciousness Examen” or “Examination of Consciousness” (not to be confused with the “examination of conscience” that may precede the Sacrament of Reconciliation), the Examen is a method of peaceful daily prayer taught by St. Ignatius in the Spiritual Exercises as a way to notice the presence of God in one’s daily life and to live in generous response to it.
F
Finding God in all things - Foundational, graced insight received by Ignatius after his mystical experience at Manresa. It has become a summary statement of Ignatian spirituality: the conviction that God and the sacred may be found in all things, in all persons, and in all circumstances.
G
General Congregation - The highest legislative body of the Society of Jesus, consisting of representatives from Jesuits around the world. These gatherings elect new superior generals when needed and address major issues of importance to Jesuit work and life. There have been 36 General Congregations in the history of the Society of Jesus, most recently in 2016 to elect the current superior general, Arturo Sosa.
H
HIS - First three letters of Jesus’ name in Greek; appears as a symbol of Christ on the seal of the Society of Jesus.
I
Ignatian - Adjective derived from the name of Ignatius of Loyola, founder of the Society of Jesus (the Jesuits). Sometimes used in a distinct sense from the adjective Jesuit to refer to aspects of spirituality and education that are associated with the Jesuit tradition but are not specific to ordained Jesuits, and may be applicable in a lay or religiously-plural context.
J
Jesuit - A member of the Society of Jesus. The term “Jesuit” was initially used as a pejorative term in the order’s early years, but was soon adopted as a positive one by members and friends of the Society. See also Society of Jesus.
K
Kolvenbach, Peter-Hans - Dutch Jesuit and 29th superior general of the Society of Jesus (1983-2008). His legacy is particularly important for Jesuit universities due to a series of addresses that laid out a view of the purpose and goal of Jesuit education.
M
Magis - Latin term for “more,” used by St. Ignatius and Jesuits throughout the centuries to indicate a spirit of generous service that is not quantitative and never competitive, but is qualitative, especially in terms of love that leads to service. A useful shorthand for this concept is “the more universal good.” For a helpful exploration of this term, read "What Magis Really Means and Why It Matters" by Barton T. Geger, S.J.
Manresa - Town in northern Spain where St. Ignatius had a powerful spiritual experience that led to his writing the Spiritual Exercises and formulating his worldview of “God in all things.”
Martyrs of the Universidad Centroamericana - In November 1989, six Jesuit priests, their housekeeper, and their housekeeper’s daughter were assassinated at the Universidad Centroamericana “Jose Simeón Cañas” (UCA) in El Salvador by U.S.-trained special forces of the Salvadoran military. The Jesuits had been vocal in their advocacy for social justice in El Salvador and thus were targeted by government forces. In recognition of the sacrifice of the Jesuit martyrs and their companions and their witness for peace and justice, many Jesuit institutions commemorate their deaths each November. Learn more at the Ignatian Solidarity Network.
N
Nicolas, Adolfo - Spanish Jesuit and 30th superior general of the Society of Jesus (2008-2016).
P
Pedagogy, Ignatian - A framework for teaching and learning rooted in the values and approaches of the Jesuit spiritual and educational traditions. Ignatian pedagogy is a process, rather than a set curriculum, that seeks to accompany students in becoming persons of competence, conscience, and compassionate commitment.
Persons for and with others - Pedro Arrupe, S.J., superior general of the Society of Jesus (1965-81) delivered a speech to alumni of Jesuit schools in Europe in 1973. In it, he emphasized that the goal of a Jesuit education should be to form “men for others... people who cannot even conceive of love of God which does not include love for the least of their neighbors; people convinced that love of God which does not issue in justice for human beings is a farce.” In more recent years, Arrupe's original phrasing has been amended to reflect the call of all persons to this goal, as well as the importance of solidarity (“with”) alongside service (“for”).
Province/Provincial - Provinces are geographical regions that organize the governance of the Society of Jesus. Each is headed by a Provincial who is appointed by the Superior General of the Society. Loyola University Maryland is located in the Jesuit East Province, whose Provincial is Fr. Joseph O'Keefe, S.J.
R
Ratio Studiorum - Document published in 1599 consisting of directives for teachers, administrators, and other individuals working in Jesuit educational institutions. The Ratio Studiorum (“Plan of Studies”) forms the basis for the tradition of Jesuit and Ignatian pedagogy that continues to inspire and animate Jesuit education today.
S
Service of Faith and Promotion of Justice - Hallmark of the Jesuits’ ministry; it was formulated at their international meeting (General Congregation) in 1975.
Society of Jesus - Catholic religious order of men founded in 1540 by Ignatius of Loyola and a small group of companions. Today numbering just under 17,000 priests, brothers and scholastics, members of the Society of Jesus (commonly known as the “Jesuits”) are found in almost every country of the world. The "S.J." appearing after the name of vowed Jesuits stands for "Society of Jesus."
Sosa, Arturo - Venezuelan Jesuit and 31st superior general of the Society of Jesus (2016-present).
Spiritual Exercises - An organized series of activities, reflections, meditations, and other methods of prayer composed by St. Ignatius as means of exploring the central aspects of Christian faith and especially the life of Jesus. The goal of the Spiritual Exercises is for the participant to attain spiritual freedom, clarity, and the capacity to act in accordance with God’s will out of love and service. The Exercises also describe a vision of the human person and flourishing that form the basis for many insights and principles of Ignatian spirituality. While the original formulation of the Spiritual Exercises was intended to be experienced over 30 full days, few persons today undertake a full 30 day retreat. Various adaptations of the Exercises are available, ranging from 10 months of daily reflection to weekend or week-long retreats. For more information about the Spiritual Exercises and how to experience them yourself, visit the Office of Mission Integration.
Gratefully adapted from content created by Loyola Marymount University