How many Jesuits are there in the world?

17287

Not too many people know that the Society of Jesus is a Christian male religious order of the Roman Catholic Church.  Moreover, its members are called Jesuits.  Statistics show that as of 1 January 2013, Jesuits numbered 17,287.  Here is the structure: 12,298 clerks regular (priests), 2,878 scholastics (students to become priests), 1,400 brothers (not priests) and 711 novices.  It is interesting to know that Jesuits generally work in education (founding schools, colleges, universities and seminaries), intellectual research, and cultural pursuits. Jesuits also promote social justice and ecumenical dialogue.