Quick Facts

The Society of Jesus was founded in Rome in 1540 by St. Ignatius Loyola.

As of 2004, there are roughly 20,000 Jesuits serving on six continents and in 127 nations.

There are 230 Jesuits serving in the Chicago Province of the Society of Jesus.

The Chicago Province was founded in 1928. It was formed out of the Missouri Province. In 1956 the Chicago Province was divided to form the Detroit Province.

Fr. Edward W. Schmidt, SJ, is the 15th Provincial of the Chicago Province.

Prominent alumni of Chicago Province schools include actors Andre Braugher (St. Ignatius), Chris O'Donnell (Loyola Academy), Bill Murray (Loyola Academy), Bob Newhart (St. Ignatius and Loyola University), Senator James Bunning (Xavier U.), writers Peter and Margaret O'Brien Steinfels (Loyola University Chicago), former Commerce Secretary William Daley (St. Ignatius), Memphis Grizzlies forward James Posey (Xavier University), Cincinnati Archbishop Daniel Pilarczyk (Xavier U.), Atlanta Archbishop Wilton Gregory (Loyola University Chicago), writer Sandra Cisneros (Loyola University Chicago), Dallas Mavericks forward Alan Henderson (Brebeuf Jesuit), Adobe Systems Chairman Charles M. Geschke (Xavier University), and President/CEO of Fifth Third Bank, George A. Schaefer (Xavier University).

The Chicago Province operates two universities: Loyola University Chicago and Xavier University in Cincinnati, OH.

The Chicago Province operates five high schools: Brebeuf Jesuit Preparatory, Cristo Rey Jesuit High School, Loyola Academy, St. Ignatius College Prep, and St. Xavier High School.

St. Ignatius Loyola wrote the Spiritual Exercises after experiencing a profound conversion in Manresa, Spain. Ignatian spirituality today links Jesuits across the world and also enriches the lives of millions of non-Jesuits. Copies of the Spiritual Exercises can be purchased at any major online book retailer.

The Chicago Province has formed "convenio agreements" or partnerships with the Patna Province, Delhi Region, and Nepal Region in Asia and with the Peru Province in South America. These Jesuit Provinces and regions were former mission territories of the Chicago Province.