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Why did St. Ignatius of Loyola emphasize flexibility and mobility for Jesuits?

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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.

St. Ignatius of Loyola emphasized flexibility and mobility for the Society of Jesus to ensure his followers could effectively serve as apostles wherever they were needed most. By abandoning traditional monastic practices—such as the choral recitation of the divine office, mandatory physical penances, and the use of a common uniform—Ignatius sought to remove barriers that might hinder the order's ability to respond quickly to apostolic needs.12

This adaptability allowed Jesuits to engage in a wide variety of ministries and missionary endeavors across the globe. Ignatius envisioned an order "ready to live in any part of the world where there was hope of God’s greater glory and the good of souls." By prioritizing these qualities, he ensured that the Jesuits remained unencumbered and prepared to accept any mission requested by the pope, who held a central place in the order's vow of obedience.12