Jesuit missionaries are members of the Society of Jesus, a Roman Catholic religious order founded in 1540 by Ignatius of Loyola. Their primary mission is to spread the teachings of Christianity and provide education, often establishing schools and universities in various parts of the world. Throughout history, Jesuit missionaries have traveled to regions such as Asia, Africa, and the Americas to engage with different cultures. They aimed to convert indigenous populations while also learning from them, often contributing to cultural exchanges and advancements in knowledge, particularly in areas like science and linguistics.