St. Ignatius Loyola gathered a small group of like-minded friends and together they formed the Compania de Jesus, the Society of Jesus, recognized by Pope Paul III in 1540. Jesuits were often the first missionaries in India, Japan, and China, and among the first in the Americas. At the heart of Jesuit vision is God's love for the world.
Ignatius (at the time “Inigo,” he adopted the name “Ignatius” later in life, after his conversion) Loyola (1491-1556) started life as the youngest son of a proud, Basque family. His early days were filled with the pursuit of glory and pleasure. To what degree he pursued these things is unknown, and later in life he would confess to “great sin” but 
with no elaboration. In 1521, Loyola was on the battle field of Pamplona when a canon ball shattered his left leg. His leg was operated on twice and, because of a piece of bone having to have been removed, his left leg ended up being shorter than his right which left him with a slight limp throughout his life.
It was during Loyola's time recovering that he discovered a passion for Christ and a desire to pursue glory in God. He gave his rich clothes to the poor and put on a garment of sackcloth. He hung his sword and dagger over the altar and went out to seek God's glory.
His plan to live in the Holy Land fell through, and, going back to school to acquire the credentials to minister to others, he gathered a group of like-minded men around him. These first companionsformed the religious order that was approved as the Society of Jesus in 1540. Ignatius was elected the Jesuits' first general superior and spent the rest of his life directing the growing group — more than 1,000 members at his death — and writing its constitutions. He was canonized in 1622, and is the patron saint of retreats.
Full biography of St. Ignatius Loyola
Biography of St. Jean de Brébeuf
St. Jean de Br
ébeuf (1593-1649) was a Jesuit priest from Normandy, France, who traveled to New France (modern
day Canada) in 1625 to live with and evangelize the Huron Indians. He entered the Jesuit order desiring, in humility, to be a brother. He was convinced to become a priest and started out teaching in France. Soon he felt called to the mission fields.
Brébeuf spent most of his life in New France with the Huron. His nickname was “Echon” among the Hurons, which means, roughly, “he who carries burdens,” as a result of his willingness to portage and do tasks. He acquired deep respect and knowledge of his beloved Hurons' native ways.
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