So, Who are the Jesuits?

For the past few months, we have been telling you all about this great group of guys known as the Jesuits. You may be familiar with who the Jesuits are, but if not, we’d love to tell you more!  Although these subjects have dedicated their lives to their religion, the greater story of Emmaus is the relatable understanding of the journey of life and fundamental essence of humanity.

That being said, the Jesuits are Catholic priests; they belong to a religious order known as the Society of Jesus, founded by St. Ignatius of Loyola in the 16th century. If a priest has an “S.J.” following his name, that uniquely defines him as a Jesuit! The mission of the Jesuits is to go to the margins and serve for the greater glory of God.  

But beyond their mission, the Jesuits are widely known for their emphasis on all things education, service and social justice. There are currently 28 Jesuit Universities and colleges spread throughout the United States, and similar to Loyola Marymount University, where the Jesuits involved in this project reside, one of their main focuses is the promotion of faith and education of the whole person.

It is important to understand who the Jesuits are in terms of this project simply to get a better sense of their backgrounds and ideals. Yes, the Jesuits are priests, but beyond this, they are scholars, educators and more. And as Emmaus hopes to show, they are also photographers, musicians, athletes and chefs. They are people too, and Emmaus invites you on a journey to discover more about these unique individuals.