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Handout #158 |
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Fundamental rule of the Jesuits (1540 A.D.) |
| Whoever wishes to enter our society, that we desire to be called the Society of Jesus, to bear arms for God, and to serve only Jesus Christ Our Lord and the Roman Pontiff, his Vicar upon earth, must, after making a solemn vow of perpetual chastity, offer himself to be part of a Society chiefly instituted to work for the advancement of souls in life and Christian doctrine, and for the propagation of the faith, by public preaching and the ministry of the Word of God, by the Spiritual Exercises and by works of charity, especially teaching the catechism to children and those who are not instructed in Christianity, and hearing the confessions of the faithful for their spiritual consolation ... As to the right of command, that shall belong entirely to the General ... Although we have learned from the gospel and the orthodox faith and make profession that we believe firmly that all the faithful of Jesus Christ are subject to the Roman Pontiff as to their leader and to the Vicar of Jesus Christ, in order that the humility of our society may be even greater, we have come to believe, that it would be very useful, in addition to this bond common to all the faithful, to commit ourselves further by a particular vow. So, whatever the present Roman Pontiff and his successors command us concerning the good of souls and the propagation of the faith, we are committed to carry out without hesitation or excuse, in whatsoever country he may send us to, whether among the Turks or other infidels, even in India, or among the heretics and schismatics, or among the faithful of whatever kind. |
