CSVF Blog

Today the Church celebrates the feast of St. Ignatius of Loyola (1491-1566), the founder of the Society of Jesus, an intellectual and missionary congregation of men better known as the Jesuits.

Much has been made of the centuries-old intellectual rivalry between the Dominicans and the Jesuits.  One might argue that Ignatius himself set up the contest.  At their foundation in the sixteenth century, the Jesuits immersed themselves in the Thomistic tradition of philosophy and theology then gaining magisterial sanction during the Council of Trent.  Ignatius directed his young disciples to study the doctrines of the Common Doctor, and the Society’s 1599 Ratio Studiorum (plan of studies) repeated this instruction for all of the Society’s teachers.  For example, this direction was given to provincials:

The provincial is to be especially careful that no one be appointed to teach theology who is not well disposed to the teaching of St. Thomas. Those who do not approve of his doctrine or take little interest in it, should not be allowed to teach theology.

Naturally, disagreements would arise over the authentic interpretation of St. Thomas.  Without getting into those disputes, it suffices to say that the Jesuits should be remembered well today.  Through the beginning of the twentieth century, Jesuit intellectuals were on the ecclesial and cultural front lines promoting and defending the principles of Thomistic philosophy and theology.

Father, you gave Saint Ignatius of Loyola to your Church to bring greater glory to your name.  May we follow his example on earth and share the crown of life in heaven.

We ask this through our Lord Jesus Christ, your Son, who lives and reigns with you and the Holy Spirit, one God, forever and ever.  Amen.

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