Jesuits in Central Europe

We Jesuits face the challenges of the future with energy and drive, but also with trust in God and inner calm. The mission of the Society of Jesus has been universal since its foundation and extends beyond the borders of countries and languages. With its Universal Apostolic Preferences, the order has determined its four main areas of focus for the coming years: showing the way to God, standing by the marginalised, accompanying young people and caring for our common home, God's creation. The Jesuits are an international religious order of the Roman Catholic Church. "Jesuit" comes from "Jesus". Jesuits are "companions of Jesus". In the tradition of St. Ignatius of Loyola, Jesuits follow Jesus Christ. The symbol of the Order is the monogram IHS, the first three letters of the name Jesus in Greek script. It can also be read as Iesum Habemus Socium: "We have Jesus as a companion". The commitment to faith and justice, education, dialogue with different cultures and the search for reconciliation - this charism of the Order is more relevant today than ever. Jesuits want to make the treasure of Ignatian spirituality fruitful for the lives of others. As a worldwide religious community, Jesuits are active on all continents. The Jesuits in Central Europe have about 360 members at 35 locations in Germany, Latvia, Lithuania, Austria, Sweden and Switzerland.