The Society of Jesus is a religious order serving in the Roman Catholic Church, founded by St. Ignatius of Loyola in 1540. From the very beginning the Jesuit priests and brothers were always on the move, ready to go where they could advance the faith in Jesus Christ and his Good News with all its radical and practical implications for the world and for every human person.

The Constitutions of the Society of Jesus demand that we work there where the need is greatest and for the greatest good. We number just under 20,000 Jesuits around the globe, 115 of which – fathers, brothers of Jesuits in formation – are Maltese. There are around 70 Jesuits in Malta, living in eight communities: Birkirara, Floriana, Mosta, Msida, Naxxar, Valletta, Zejtun and Victoria, Gozo. The remaining Maltese Jesuits are found in Brazil, Canada, Chile, Egypt, Ethiopia, France, India, England, Italy, Kenya, Lebanon, Sudan and the United States.

In Malta the Jesuits don't have parishes but are found working in education, at University, in spirituality, in the social sector and with young people. We commit ourselves in the formation and teaching of children and youth, like at St. Aloysius' College and at University. There is also the Jesuit Refugee Service, the Centre for Faith and Justice and Paulo Freire Institute. We give Spiritual Exercises at Mount St. Joseph and Manresa House, where we also welcome persons for periods of prayer and reflection, besides giving exercises elsewhere. There are Jesuits helping in the celebration of mass and in confessions in parishes and other churches. We give spiritual direction; we work with the youth, or training others for service in the Church. In all these sectors, the Jesuits work in collaboration with the laity, in works directed by others.