Logo for a new Jesuit province

Munich - The Jesuits in Central Europe are getting a new image for the foundation of their new province. With this, they not only want to make the new beginning clear, but also bring together the different traditions and structures, create a common identity and open up spaces for growth. The new logo takes up the traditional sunlit IHS signet of the Order's founder Ignatius of Loyola, which is used in various forms in the universal Society of Jesus. The reduced and clear design recalls the modern-simple design of the previous square IHS logo used by the Central European Assistance of the Order since 1998.

In the centre of a halo - symbol of the sun and the exaltation of the crucified Lord - are the three letters "IHS", the so-called monogram of Jesus, which originated from the Greek form of the name of Jesus. Before Ignatius was elected General in 1541, he put it in the head of his list of candidates to make clear the real head of the Society of Jesus. It was the explicit order of the founder of the order that it was placed above the entrances of the buildings of the Jesuits. He wanted to underline thereby his request vividly, namely that the new Order should be known as "Companions of Jesus" ("Society of Jesus") and not as "of Ignatius" ("Ignatians"). Since then the IHS signet stands as "distinguishing mark" at the beginning of all important letters and documents. It can be found to this day on the facades of Jesuit churches and colleges, on altars, on engravings, and on the covers of books by Jesuit authors.

Ignatius had already recognized at that time that an institution can only develop a distinctive profile if it communicates in a clear and recognizable way what it stands for. Already in Ignatius' time the IHS signet was understood as an anagram and resolved with "Jesus Christ Redeemer" (Iesus Hominum Salvator), in the Order also the reading "We have Jesus as companion" (Iesum Habemus Socium) is usual.

Even before the merger of the existing provinces of Germany with Sweden, Lithuania and Latvia, Austria and Switzerland, scheduled for April 27, 2021, the new logo will be on the new website, and it will be used on letterheads and brochures and in social media channels. The confreres, communities and institutions are invited to participate.