The Jesuit Vow of Poverty

The vow of poverty is one of the fundamental pillars of Jesuit life. It is a radical life choice inspired by Christ’s poverty, which not only implies renouncing personal property but also a form of freedom that allows Jesuits to serve God and others without material attachments. Through this commitment, Jesuits seek to embody a testimony of trust in divine providence, solidarity with the poor, and detachment from wealth that could divert them from their mission.

The vow of poverty is more than a commitment; it is a doorway to a different way of living. It is not about loss but about gain—about shedding the weight of material attachment to find deeper purpose and spiritual clarity. For the Jesuits, this vow is not just a personal sacrifice, but a declaration that life’s true treasures are found not in possessions, but in faith, community, and service. It is a path that strips away distractions, allowing the soul to become fully available to God and to others. By embracing poverty, Jesuits are freed from the anxieties of wealth and status, stepping instead into a world of trust, generosity, and profound fulfillment.

1. Inspiration in Christ

Saint Ignatius of Loyola, founder of the Society of Jesus, saw poverty as the ultimate expression of following Christ. "I desire and choose poverty with Christ poor rather than wealth," he wrote in his Spiritual Exercises (n. 167). For Jesuits, poverty is not simply about living with less—it is about living with intention. It is a conscious decision to remove distractions and fully dedicate themselves to God's mission.

2. Personal and Communal Poverty

When a Jesuit takes the vow of poverty, he is not just renouncing personal ownership—he is stepping into a community where everything is shared. Resources are distributed according to need, ensuring that no one hoards excess while another lacks essentials. But beyond material goods, Jesuit poverty is about solidarity, humility, and service.

3. Administration of Resources in the Society

The Society of Jesus takes careful stewardship of its resources, balancing the needs of its communities with those of its apostolic missions. The vow of poverty does not mean rejecting financial responsibility; rather, it calls for a just and ethical use of resources to ensure sustainability, equity, and service to the greater good.

Living the vow of poverty is not a one-size-fits-all experience—it unfolds in different ways, shaping the daily lives and missions of Jesuits across the world. This vow is not about simply having less, but about being more—more present, more available, more attuned to the needs of others. It grants a freedom that allows Jesuits to move where they are needed, a solidarity that binds them to the poor, and a deep trust that anchors them in God's providence. Each dimension of poverty—whether in mission, in community, or in spirit—reveals a new facet of its transformative power, making it not a burden, but a gift.

1. Freedom for Mission

In a world where possessions often possess their owners, the vow of poverty frees Jesuits to go where they are needed most. Whether in bustling urban centers or remote villages, they can respond to the call of service without the burden of material attachments.

2. Solidarity with the Poor

Poverty is not just about living simply—it is about standing with those who have no choice but to live in scarcity. By embracing poverty, Jesuits align themselves with the marginalized and become a tangible sign of hope and justice.

3. Renunciation and Trust in God

Saint Ignatius called poverty both "mother and wall"—a mother because it nurtures dependence on God, and a wall because it protects from the temptations of materialism. Jesuits learn to rely not on personal security but on divine providence, finding in this surrender a profound spiritual strength.

The vow of poverty is not a theoretical ideal—it is a lived experience, shaped by the daily realities of those who embrace it. No two Jesuits live it in the exact same way, yet each finds in it a path to deeper joy, service, and freedom. The following personal testimonies from across different fields and missions offer a glimpse into how this vow transforms not only their lives but also the lives of those they serve. Their perspectives invite us to reflect on our own relationship with material wealth and challenge us to see how simplicity can open doors to greater generosity, solidarity, and purpose.

Père Amari (The Community Builder)

“Poverty is not about what we lack but about the abundance we find in each other. Living simply allows us to focus on relationships, on building communities where love and service thrive. The less we cling to, the more space we create for genuine encounters. Poverty teaches us that we are not meant to walk alone, but together, lifting each other up in generosity and faith. In the villages where I serve, I have seen the beauty of shared meals, where no one is turned away, and the smallest offering becomes a feast of brotherhood. This is the richness that poverty reveals—when we share everything, from food to sorrows, we become truly rich and we lack nothing.”

Father Angelo (Wise Elder and Spiritual Guide)

“The vow of poverty is a path toward spiritual liberation. By letting go of attachments, we become more available to God's will and the needs of others. Over my years of ministry, I have found that simplicity clears the soul, allowing joy and wisdom to flourish in ways unimaginable. True wealth is found in a heart that is free to love without condition and to serve without seeking reward. I have met countless people searching for peace, burdened by the need to acquire and secure. My counsel has always been the same: let go. When we cease to measure our worth by what we own, we begin to see the divine gifts of faith, love, and community as our greatest treasures.”

Father Chen (The Scientist and Educator)

“As a scientist, I see poverty as a discipline that focuses the mind and spirit. When we are not burdened by ownership, we are free to seek knowledge, to innovate, and to share what we learn for the good of all. True discovery is not about accumulation, but about generosity and wonder. The vow of poverty has allowed me to dedicate myself fully to education and research, not for personal gain, but to uplift others. In the university where I teach, I see students freed from financial worries through scholarships, many of which exist because of those who choose to live simply and share abundantly. My work is not for prestige, but for the greater mission—to inspire minds, to bring knowledge to those who thirst for it, and to serve through learning.”

Father Juan (Philosopher and Theologian)

“Poverty is a direct challenge to the false securities of the modern world. It forces us to ask difficult questions: What truly fulfills us? What do we actually need? The more we detach from what is fleeting, the more we connect with the eternal. True wisdom is found not in accumulation, but in letting go. When I speak to my students about the great thinkers of history, I always remind them that Socrates, St. Augustine, and even Christ himself lived with little yet left behind immeasurable wisdom. In my reflections, I have found that poverty cultivates clarity, deepens faith, and makes space for real joy. The mind and soul flourish when we are unburdened by material desires, allowing us to grasp what is truly meaningful. Poverty is not an absence; it is the presence of something greater. ”

Father Mathew (Social Justice Advocate)

“For me, poverty is an act of solidarity. It is a declaration that dignity is not measured in wealth but in service. Walking alongside the poor, I have learned that when we relinquish personal gain, we become more attuned to justice, and our voices grow stronger for those who need it most. Poverty is not just about living with less; it is about standing with those who have nothing. In the streets where I work, I see how a shared meal, a listening ear, or a simple act of kindness carries more power than any material wealth. The vow of poverty is a rebellion against a world that tells us we must take more to be more. Instead, I have found that by giving, we become truly rich.”

Father Paulo (Environmental Missionary)

“Choosing poverty means choosing sustainability. It teaches us that we need less than we think, and that a life free from excess is a life in harmony with creation. Living simply allows us to be caretakers, not consumers, and reminds us that the Earth itself is a gift meant to be shared. In the Amazon, I have come to see that the vow of poverty is not just about personal renunciation, but about protecting the world for future generations. The communities here live by necessity, taking only what they need, and their way of life is a lesson in true stewardship. Every time I walk through the forest, I am reminded that poverty is not a loss—it is a sacred responsibility to protect, nurture, and sustain the beauty entrusted to us by God.”

The Jesuit vow of poverty is not merely about renouncing material possessions—it is about embracing a life of deeper freedom, community, and purpose. While few may be called to this radical way of life, its principles resonate with all of us. How often do we accumulate things we do not need, mistaking them for security? How much do we measure success by what we own rather than by the love we share?

As Jesuits, we remind the world that true wealth is found in relationships, in generosity, and in a heart unburdened by excess.

Perhaps we all, not just the Jesuits, can learn from their example—by simplifying our lives, giving more, and choosing to serve rather than to possess. In the end, what we hold onto defines us, but what we give away transforms us. What might you let go of today to make room for something greater?