The Early Society

This video is part of a series of materials designed for Jesuit formation in community and group contexts, promoting deep reflection and enriching dialogue among participants.

Production and copyright: Jim McDermott (2008)

The video traces how the Society of Jesus became a major force in education, despite initially excluding teaching from its mission. In 1539, early Jesuits agreed not to hold permanent teaching positions, focusing instead on pastoral ministry. However, practical needs shifted their direction.

Highlights

0:11 Initial resistance to education

• Jesuits originally rejected permanent teaching roles
• Early plans sent members to universities, not internal instruction

1:30 Organic shift toward teaching

• Disorganized university courses led Jesuits to assist Scholastics informally
• Their Parisian training in structured study made them effective educators

2:01 First formal school in Messina

• In 1557, citizens of Messina invited Jesuits to open a school
• This marked their official entry into education

3:00 Why Jesuits were suited for education

• Founders were highly educated, mostly at the University of Paris
• Their upbringing emphasized reading, culture, and structured learning

4:01 Contrast with Italian education

• Italian schools lacked progression from basic to advanced learning
• Jesuits introduced organized, step-by-step pedagogy

5:34 Cultural impact of Jesuit schools

• By 1750, Italy had 136 Jesuit schools, including in small towns
• Schools became cultural hubs, offering public entertainment and libraries

7:17 Jesuit drama and opera

• Schools produced thousands of plays and operas, often with allegorical themes
• Dance and theater were seen as sacramental expressions of spiritual truths

12:00 Defending dance as Christian

• Jesuits published theological justifications for dance
• Argued it expressed joy, freedom, and harmony of the human spirit

15:02 Jesuit vs Jansenist spirituality

• Jesuits embraced worldly engagement and symbolic expression
• Jansenists criticized them for being too worldly and theatrical