The Society of Jesus, a Christian Religious Order founded by St. Ignatius of Loyola in 1540, has been active in the field of education throughout the world since its origin.

Even though all of these first companions of Ignatius were graduates of the University of Paris, the original purposes of the Society of Jesus did not include educational institutions. As described in the "Formula" presented to Paul III for his approval, the Society of Jesus was founded "to strive especially for the defense and propagation of the faith and for the progress of soul in Christian life and doctrine, by means of public preaching, lectures, and any other ministration whatsoever of the word of God, and further by means of the Spiritual Exercises, the education of children and unlettered persons in Christianity, and the spiritual consolation of Christ's faithful through hearing confessions and administering the other sacraments". Ignatius wanted Jesuits to be free to move from place to place wherever the need was greatest; he was convinced that institutions would tie them down and prevent this mobility. But the companions had only one goal: "in all things to love and serve the Divine Majesty"; they would adopt whatever means could best accomplish this love and service of God through the service of others.

The positive results to be obtained from the education of young boys soon became apparent, and it was not long before Jesuits became involved in this work. Francis Xavier, writing from Goa, India in 1542, was enthusiastic in his description of the effect Jesuits there were having when they offered instruction at St. Paul's College; Ignatius responded with encouragement. A college had been established in Gandia, Spain for the education of those preparing to join the Society of Jesus; at the insistence of parents it began, 1546, to admit other boys of the city. The first "Jesuit school", in the sense of an institution intended primarily for young lay students, was founded in Messina, Sicily only two years later. And when it became apparent that education was not only an apt means for human and spiritual development but also an effective instrument for defending a faith under attack by the Reformers, the number of Jesuit schools began to increase very rapidly: before his death in 1556, Ignatius personally approved the foundation of 40 schools. For centuries, religious congregations had contributed to the growth of education in philosophy and theology. For the members of this new order to extend their educational work to the humanities and even to running the schools, was something new in the life of the church; it needed formal approval by Papal decree.

Worldwide today there are 3730 educational institutions with Jesuit affiliations in which 4000 dedicated Jesuit educators along with 125,000 other personnel deliver learning to 25 million students at any point of time.

In India, the Society of Jesus is at present responsible for over 300 schools and 19 colleges in which over 32,00,000 young people, belonging to every social class, community and linguistic group are being educated through the medium of English and other regional languages.

The first Jesuit institution in India was founded in 1542 in Goa and was named St. Paul's College with Francis Xavier as one of the leading lights. Jesuit education is inspired by a vision of he great Ignatius Loyola who based it extensively from the life and teachings of Jesus Christ and the principles of character formation elaborated by Ignatius of Loyola.

This vision and these principles give Jesuit institutions a distinctive character and set before their staff and students, ideas of humanism and service towards which they are continually challenged to strive.

     
                   St. Ignatius of Loyola