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 - Till Date
Rev.Dr. Danis Ponniah 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.