St. Ignatius of Loyola (1491-1556) was a Spanish knight, priest and founder of the Society of Jesus, also known as the Jesuits.
Famous Jesuits —
St. Ignatius of Loyola (1491-1556) was a Spanish knight, priest and founder of the Society of Jesus, also known as the Jesuits.
Kean Collection/Getty Images
St. Francis Xavier, a 16th-century missionary, co-founded the Society of Jesus. Countless Catholic schools and universities are named after him.
Famous Jesuits —
St. Francis Xavier, a 16th-century missionary, co-founded the Society of Jesus. Countless Catholic schools and universities are named after him.
Hulton Archive/Getty Images
Pope Francis, perhaps the most famous Jesuit in the world, has credited the order with helping him learn the value of selflessness.
Famous Jesuits —
Pope Francis, perhaps the most famous Jesuit in the world, has credited the order with helping him learn the value of selflessness.
ANDREAS SOLARO/AFP/Getty Images
St. Peter Faber (1506-1546), canonized by Pope Francis last December, is often called the Jesuit's first theologian.
Famous Jesuits —
St. Peter Faber (1506-1546), canonized by Pope Francis last December, is often called the Jesuit's first theologian.
Universal History Archive/Getty Images
Pierre Teilhard de Chardin (1880-1955) was a French priest, theologian and paleontologist whose erudite writings combined Catholic theology with evolution and other scientific theories.
Famous Jesuits —
Pierre Teilhard de Chardin (1880-1955) was a French priest, theologian and paleontologist whose erudite writings combined Catholic theology with evolution and other scientific theories.
Apic/Getty Images
British Jesuit Gerard Manley Hopkins (1844-1889) was a leading -- and lyrically daring -- poet.
Famous Jesuits —
British Jesuit Gerard Manley Hopkins (1844-1889) was a leading -- and lyrically daring -- poet.
Hulton Archive/Getty Images
The Rev. James Martin, a prolific author and media commentator, is also the "official chaplain" of Comedy Central's "Colbert Report."
Famous Jesuits —
The Rev. James Martin, a prolific author and media commentator, is also the "official chaplain" of Comedy Central's "Colbert Report."
Raymond Hall/FilmMagic/Getty Images
Brother Guy Consolmagno, a Jesuit astronomer at the Vatican's Observatory, was awarded the Carl Sagan Medal earlier this year.
Famous Jesuits —
Brother Guy Consolmagno, a Jesuit astronomer at the Vatican's Observatory, was awarded the Carl Sagan Medal earlier this year.
Gregorio Borgia/AP