jan 1, 1534 - Jesuit order is founded by Loyola

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Spanish priest Ignatius of Loyola founded the Jesuits (Society of Jesus). He wrote Spiritual Exercises in which he guides readers through spiritual exercises intended to be used in a four-week retreat. Jesuits recruited mainly from wealthy merchant and professional families and sought to improve spiritual condition rather than reform the church. It grew and achieved great success. Jesuit efforts carried Christianity to India and Japan before 1550 and in the 1600s, to Brazil, North America, and the Congo. They also brought Southern Germany and much of Eastern Europe back to Catholicism.

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