Title Feast of The Society of Jesus

January 1
Name of Jesus

St. Ignatius and his first companions never decided anything without earnest recourse to prayer and common discussion. After deciding to form a religious group, the question of naming came up. As usual after long prayer, reflection and meditation and mutual discussion they decided to name the group: Company or Society of Jesus as they had only one leader - Jesus Christ.

The Church, with the Pope, approved the name, when its constitutions were approved and inspite of of opposition from the highest authorities, the name has remained. The feast of the 'Name of Jesus' celebrated after the octave of Christmas became the Title Feast of the Society. When that feast was abolished as redundant because the name was implied in the feast of the 'Circumcision' when the child was named, the Society chose the first of January, the Circumcision day, as its title feast day. The Society which began with 9 members, today counts thousands, all rejoicing to carry on Christ's work under the banner unfurling the name of Jesus. It is also the feast day of Mary our Mother, who from the begining has shown herself most affectionate as a Mother and Queen.

"To form a single body,
to have a single heart and a single soul,
to obey but a single chief,
to feel themselves members under a single head all for
the Greater Glory of God"
- St. Ignatius