Jesuiten#

Jesuits, Societas Jesu (SJ), Catholic men´s order founded in 1534 by Ignatius of Loyola, approved by the Pope in 1540. Summoned to Vienna in 1551 by Ferdinand I, the J. also settled in Innsbruck (1562), Graz (1572), Linz (around 1600), and Klagenfurt, where they established schools and colleges. The J. made a significant contribution to the Counter-Reformation in Austria. Appointed to important religious and political posts, they served as confessors to the emperors and their families, as professors and teachers at universities and schools, and as pastors and preachers in the towns. The J. were a determining factor of religious and cultural life in Austria (J. drama, J. style) and went abroad as Missionaries and scholars. Famous Jesuits were active as preachers (Petrus Canisius and Georg Scherer), historians, and numismatists (S. Calles, M. Hansitz, F. Wagner, E. Froelich), astronomers (M. Hell), mathematicians (P. Guldin), botanists and mineralogists (F. X. Wulfen, M. Denis, I. Schiffermueller), geographers and surveyors (J. Walcher, J. Liesganig), and theologians. The Jesuit order was abolished in 1773 and re-established in 1814. Important 20th -century Jesuits include council advisors K. Rahner and J. A. Jungmann. Jesuit establishments and activities in Austria today: Vienna (Provinzialat and University Church with students´ centre Alte Burse, school in Kalksburg (part of the 23rd district), retreat and education centre plus parish in Lainz (part of the 13th district), Canisius Parish in the 9th district); Innsbruck (Department of Philosophy and Theology at the University of Innsbruck with residence hall for staff and students, Canisianum seminary, and noviciate); Linz (Kollegium Aloisianum and Old Cathedral); Steyr (Marienkirche church); Feldkirch (Stella Matutina); St. Andrae in the Lavant Valley (parish and retreat).

Publications#