1. (R. C. Ch.) One of a religious order founded by Ignatius Loyola, and
approved in 1540, under the title of The Society of Jesus.
The order consists of Scholastics, the Professed, the Spiritual
Coadjutors, and the Temporal Coadjutors or Lay Brothers. The Jesuit
novice after two years becomes a Scholastic, and takes his first vows
of poverty, chastity, and obedience simply. Some years after, at the
close of a second novitiate, he takes his second vows and is ranked
among the Coadjutors or Professed. The Professed are bound by a fourth
vow, from which only the pope can dispense, requiring them to go
wherever the pope may send them for missionary duty. The Coadjutors
teach in the schools, and are employed in general missionary labors.
The Society is governed by a General who holds office for life. He has
associated with him "Assistants" (five at the present time),
representing different provinces. The Society was first established in
the United States in 1807. The Jesuits have displayed in their
enterprises a high degree of zeal, learning, and skill, but, by their
enemies, have been generally reputed to use art and intrigue in
promoting or accomplishing their purposes, whence the words Jesuit,
Jesuitical, and the like, have acquired an opprobrious sense.