The Society of Jesus is a world-wide organisation of religious men, numbering about 16,000 spread over the world, of whom over 3000 are working in the provinces of India. In TamilNadu alone there are about 500 Jesuits working in schools and colleges, youth services and social work centers, in parishes and mission out-reach programmes, and in other forms of service and ministry associated with the church.
St. Ignatius of Loyola
Founder of the Society of Jesus (1491 - 1556)
1491 - Born at Loyola in Guipuzcoa, Spain
1521 - Decided to Follow Jesus Christ
1537 - Ordained a Priest in Venice
1537 - Moved To Rome
1540 - Founded the Society of Jesus
1541 - Elected the General of Jesuits
1556 - Died in Rome
1622 - Declared a Saint by Pope Gregory XV
Jesuits Madurai Province
Year |
Description |
|---|---|
| 1606 | The European Jesuits named their mission as "Madura Mission" |
| 1837-1925 | The French Jesuits laid the real base for the Present Madura Province. |
| 1852 | The Madura Mission was entrusted to the care of Toulouse Province in the South of France |
| 1886 | Tiruchirappalli was assumed as the first Jesuit Diocese. |
| 1923 | Tuticorin turned out to be the first Indian Diocese of the Latin rite |
| 1938 | Madurai was assumed as the first Indian Diocese of the Latin rite. |
| 1929 | Madurai Mission was raised to the status of a Vice-Province |
| 15th Aug 1952 | Rt.Rev.Jean Baptise Janseens, Superior General of the Society of Jesus announced the creation of independent Jesuit Madurai Province. |
Provincials - Jesuit Madurai Province
Year |
Provincials |
|---|---|
| Aug 5,1952 - Feb 3, 1953 | (Act. P) Fr.Humbert Pinto |
| Feb 4,1953 - July 30, 1958 | Fr.Douglas Gordon |
| July 31, 1958 - Apr 21, 1964 | Fr.Lawrence Fernandes |
| Apr 22,1964 - Apr 30,1969 | Fr.Arul Maria Varaprasadam |
| May 1, 1969 - Apr 21,1973 | Fr.Douglas Gordon |
| Apr 22,1973 - Apr 21, 1975 | Fr.Gnanadickam Casimir |
| Apr 22,1975 - Apr, 1981 | Fr.Rex A. Pai |
| Apr 5, 1981 - July 2,1987 | Fr.Michael Jeyaraj |
| July 3, 1987 - June 17,1993 | Fr.Aloysius Irudayam |
| June 18,1993 - Oct 8,1999 | Fr.Donatus Jeyaraj |
| Oct 9,1999 - Nov 14,2005 | Fr.Francis P. Xavier |
| Nov 15, 2005 - 2011 | Rev.Dr Devadoss M SJ |
| 2011 - 2017 | Rev.Dr Sebasti L Raj SJ |
| 2017 - 2023 | Rev.Dr. Danis Ponniah SJ |
| 2023 - Till Date | Rev.Dr.Thomas Amirtham SJ |
History
St. Joseph - Patron
St. Joseph's College is an affiliated First Grade College of the Bharathidasan University. It was established in 1844 by the Fathers of Society of Jesus (The Jesuits). It was affiliated to the then Madras University in 1866. The College celebrated its centenary in 1944 and sesquicentenary in 1995. The College is owned by the Society of St. Joseph's, a body registered under Societies Regulation Act(1860), having its office at Tiruchirappalli. This Jesuit College trains young men and women of quality to be leaders in all walks of life so that they may serve the people of the nation in truth, justice and love.
