Regimini militantis ecclesiae

Regimini militantis ecclesiae (“Pour the Government of the Church militante”) is the pontifical bubble promulgated by the pope Paul III on September 27th, 1540, and which approved the creation of the Society of Jesus, known under the name of Society of Jesus.

The first group of Jesuits (who themselves indicated themselves simply as “reformed priests”) proceeded then to the election of Ignace de Loyola like general Supérieur, in spite of his opposition and obedience promised to him, recognizing it like “holding the place of God” compared to them.

Ignace de Loyola and his companions had made the pilgrimage of Rome in October 1538, to place itself at the disposal of the pope as priests. As they were about to disperse for the various missions that the pope had given them, the question arose of knowing if they wanted to remain plain on the spiritual level. After prayer and discussion they decided for the affirmative: since it was the Christ who had joined together them, they estimated that it was Its will that they remained plain. A charter was proposed to the pope, who accepted it favorably and gave finally his solemn approval in this bubble Regimini Militantis Ecclesiae of 1540, while limiting the number of its members to sixty.

Final approval (where any more the restriction of the number of members did not appear) is in the bubble Exposcit Debitum (Le to have imposes… ) of July 21st, 1550, published by the pope Jules III.

The papal text includes what one knows like Formula Instituti. Later more developed Constitutions were written and approved by first general chapter of the Society of Jesus, joined together in 1558 to elect the successor of Ignace de Loyola.

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