Jesuits marking death of St. Ignatius, birth of his companions

Published: 2006-04-19

VATICAN CITY (CNS) -- The Jesuits, who make up the Catholic Church's largest religious order of men, are in the midst of a jubilee year called to remember three of the original members of the Society of Jesus. The 2006 celebrations mark the 450th anniversary of the death of St. Ignatius of Loyola, founder of the Jesuits, and the 500th anniversary of the births of two of his closest companions, St. Francis Xavier and St. Peter Faber. In St. Peter's Basilica and in chapels, churches and cathedrals around the world April 22, Jesuits and their friends will gather to remember the three and to reflect on continuing their mission today. The celebration date is the feast of Mary, Mother of the Society, marking the day in 1541 when the three saints and the other original members of the Jesuits took their solemn vows in Rome. Cardinal Angelo Sodano, Vatican secretary of state, will preside over the Mass in St. Peter's. Father Peter-Hans Kolvenbach, Jesuit superior general, and Pope Benedict XVI will address the congregation after the Mass.

Copyright (c) 2006 Catholic News Service /U.S. Conference of Catholic Bishops. The CNS news report may not be published, broadcast, rewritten or otherwise distributed, including but not limited to such means as framing or any other digital copying or distribution method, in whole or in part without the prior written authority of Catholic News Service .