Ignatius's plan of the order's organization was approved by Pope Paul III in 1540 by a bull containing the "Formula of the Institute". In 1534, Ignatius and six other young men, including Francis Xavier and Peter Faber, gathered and professed promises of poverty, chastity, and later obedience, including a special vow of obedience to the pope in matters of mission direction and assignment. He composed the Spiritual Exercises to help others follow the teachings of Jesus Christ. Ignatius of Loyola, a Basque nobleman from the Pyrenees area of northern Spain, founded the society after discerning his spiritual vocation while recovering from a wound sustained in the Battle of Pamplona. 12.2 Social and development institutions.
The Society of Jesus ( Latin: Societas Iesu abbreviated SJ), also known as the Jesuits ( / ˈ dʒ ɛ ʒ u.