About Loyola Press
Loyola Press was founded in 1912 by Father William P. Lyons SJ as a non-profit Catholic publishing ministry of the Midwest Province of the Society of Jesus. His first published work was Loyola University’s four-page school newspaper, The Maroon and Gold. Soon after, however, Fr. Lyons began publishing college textbooks, and Loyola Press swiftly grew in size and scope, having now served more than 40 million children and adults as they seek to grow academically, personally, and spiritually with assistance and inspiration from our textbooks, spirituality books for adults and children, and a growing array of multi-media resources.
For over 100 years, our mission has been to lead people to Jesus and to facilitate transformative experiences of God so that people of all ages can lead holy and purposeful lives with and for others. We accomplish our goals with inspiration from Saint Ignatius of Loyola, the founder of the Society of Jesus (the Jesuits), a man who spent his whole post-conversion life providing catechesis and engaging others in spiritual conversation. In addition to our spirituality and faith formation offerings, we are pleased to serve the Kindergarten through Grade 8 literacy community with our highly regarded English Language Arts programs.
Loyola Press by the Numbers.
6 faith formation programs found in conformity with USCCB protocols
2 New York Times Bestsellers (Dear Pope Francis and The Gift of Peace)
134 Publishing awards
720 trade books currently in circulation
302 titles in Español
18 books by or about Pope Francis
Over 9 million students served in the last 10 years
Over 40 million students served since Loyola Press’ inception
Over 60 countries and 5 continents publish works by Loyola Press
Our Mission.
At Loyola Press, we help all people find God in all things. Everything we do is “for the greater honor and glory of God.” This phrase is the motto of the Society of Jesus (Jesuits) and flows from Saint Ignatius’ Spiritual Exercises. This classical set of spiritual practices leads those who engage in them to a highly prayerful and active spirituality in the Catholic tradition. The whole aim of the exercises is to guide the seeker toward an inner freedom that allows a wholehearted yes to a life in God. We understand the power of the written word, of image, of media in nurturing a vibrant relationship with God and others—so we see our mission as a “noble cause,” and we work diligently each day to accomplish our goals.
Our Mission Statement: In the spirit of Saint Ignatius of Loyola who points us always to personal relationship with Jesus Christ, and in response to those we serve, we create books and multi-media products that facilitate transformative experiences of God so that people of all ages can lead holy and purposeful lives with and for others.
Faith. Dedication. Excellence.
Faith: We publish in faith—faith in Christ, faith in the Church, faith in humankind.
Dedication: We are dedicated to providing highly effective and engaging books and media of unsurpassed quality.
Excellence: We continue the Jesuit tradition of excellence and service through the quality of the resources we create and by being people for others.
Our 500-Year History.
Loyola Press is rooted in Ignatian Spirituality and the teachings of Saint Ignatius of Loyola. Saint Ignatius was born in 1491 and initially lived a courtly life in medieval Spain. After a grave injury, a profound conversion, and years of study and prayer, Ignatius became an expert in the art of spiritual direction. He collected his insights, prayers, and suggestions in his book the Spiritual Exercises, which ranks among the most influential books on the spiritual life ever written. Ignatius’s life journey led him and six like-minded colleagues to found the Society of Jesus, or the Jesuits, in 1540. Ignatius conceived the Jesuits as “contemplatives in action” whose mission is to catechize, educate, and inspire people around the world—helping them develop a deep personal relationship with Christ and his Church, become men and women who serve the needs of others, and be people who find God in whatever they do, wherever they go.
As a Jesuit ministry, we look to Saint Ignatius for inspiration, and we see that Ignatius himself was an innovative publisher who employed the most modern approaches available to reach as many people as possible. As noted in our own anniversary book published in 1953, titled Optimus Magister Bonus Liber, “St. Ignatius Loyola, recognized the power of the printed word and in the last year of his life, 1556, laid plans for the installation of a printing press in the Roman College, the leading educational institution of that time.” Like Saint Ignatius, we will continue to share the Good News of the Gospel in new ways, using approaches that can have the widest possible outreach.
Jesuit publishing houses exist throughout the world, and Loyola Press stands amongst the largest and most influential, often partnering with and sharing generously with its international counterparts. See the following timeline for some highlights in Loyola Press’s history.