What vows did St. Ignatius of Loyola and his companions take at Montmartre in 1534?

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Engraving by Lucas Vorsterman after Peter Paul Rubens showing St. Ignatius of Loyola with a halo, hands clasped in prayer before a crucifix and open book. — St. Ignatius of Loyola Ignatius of Loyola was a Spanish theologian who founded the Society of Jesus (Jesuits) in 1534. The Jesuit order received official papal approval in 1540 and became a key player in the Counter-Reformation of the 16th and 17th centuries.

On August 15, 1534, at Montmartre in Paris, St. Ignatius of Loyola and his six companions bound themselves by vows of poverty, chastity, and a pilgrimage to Jerusalem.12

While some historical accounts note that they vowed poverty, chastity, and obedience, it is important to clarify that the specific commitment made at Montmartre was focused on poverty, chastity, and the pilgrimage to Jerusalem. The companions further agreed that if the pilgrimage to Jerusalem proved impossible—which it ultimately did—they would place themselves at the disposal of the pope to accept any apostolic work he requested. At the time of these vows, the group had not yet formed the express purpose of establishing a formal religious order.12