The Jesuits

A large majority of Catholics are good people.  They keep an open mind and do not persecute others.  Many Catholics have a great love not only for their Catholic brothers and sisters, but also for their non-Catholic and non-Christian brothers and sisters.  Yes, we are all brothers and sisters, regardless of whether one is Catholic or not.  God loves all mankind for He created them all in His image and likeness. 

The history of the Catholic Church consist of good and bad simply because the Church consist of people.  After all, even the Apostles were not perfect men. Matthew was a cheating tax collector, Peter denied Christ three times, and even Thomas had very little faith and won't believe unless he can see with his own eyes.  

Has there ever been a time when Catholics have persecuted other Catholics.  Unfortunately, the answer is yes.  The Jesuits was one of them.  The Jesuits (also called the "Society of Jesus') was founded by St. Ignatius Loyola.  In 1773, Pope Clement XIV issued his brief Dominus ac Redemptor suppressing the Society of Jesus.  This religious Society, which dedicated themselves to the service of the Church was disbanded.  The property of the Society's many schools were either sold or made into a state controlled system.  Their libraries were broken up and the books either burned, sold, or snatched by those who collaborated in the Suppression.  Nevertheless, because the Jesuits took their vow of obedience to the Pope seriously, they complied with the Pope's edicts.  

Another example occurred in 1590 when Pope Sixtus V wanted to exclude the name "Jesus" from the official name of the Society.  The Jesuits immediately complied and offered names, but Sixtus died unexpectedly before his wish could be carried out. 

The Society was restored 41 years after the Suppression in 1814 by Pope Pius VII.  Since then the Society has experienced amazing growth and has surpassed the apostolic breadth of the early Society in its educational, intellectual, pastoral, and missionary endeavors.  The Pope today is a Jesuit.  

To the brothers walking in the Way, reading this blogsite......have courage!!! We are not unique.  We are living history, and we are not alone.  There are many fellow Catholics who keep an open mind and do not go out of their way to persecute others.  The three most important things to remember are: 

1. We have the blessings and approval of the Pope, who is the Successor of the Apostle Peter.    
2. Our persecution makes us one with Jesus Christ who said that we would suffer persecution just as He did.   
3. The fact that we are persecuted inside the Catholic Church only brings us closer to Christ and make us one with His Church.  St. Paul says that the Body of Christ is one, and if one member suffers......so do the rest of all Catholics.