Claudio Acquaviva (1543 - 1615) second founder of the Jesuit order

Claudio was an Italian Jesuit priest. In 1581 he was elected as the fifth Superior General of the Society of Jesus.He has been referred to as the second founder of the Jesuit order

After initial studies of humanities (Greek, Hebrew and Latin) and Mathematics.he studied Jurisprudence in Perugia.

In 1567 he joined the the Society of Jesus. With the blessing of Pius V he asked the Superior General, Francis Borgia,if he could be admitted to the noviceship . Soon after completing his studies he was given important responsibilities- his administrative gifts marking him out for the higher posts.He became the Provincial superior first in Naples then in Rome.

In 1580 he joined the Jesuit mission to England

He was responsible for *Ratio atque institutio studiorum * (1586).

It was the summing up of years of experience in the field of education and marshalling them int the Jesuit system of education
Parts were withdrawn in 1591 but under Clement VIII and Paul V he was able to save his party from a condemnation that at one time seemed probable.

Read ‘Achievements as General.’

By the time he died in Rome the Society had tripled in size with 13,000 numbers in 550 houses and 15 provinces.**

Claudio was undoubtedly one of the greatest Superior Generals to have govern the Society,