How did the Dominicans' approach to evangelisation differ from the Jesuits'?

The Dominicans focused on intellectual engagement and community life, while the Jesuits emphasised obedience and individual spiritual development.

The Dominicans, officially known as the Order of Preachers, were founded in the early 13th century by Saint Dominic. Their approach to evangelisation was rooted in intellectual engagement and community life. They believed that in order to effectively preach the Gospel, they needed to understand the world and the people they were trying to reach. This led them to establish schools and universities, where they studied theology, philosophy, and other subjects. They also lived in communities, sharing their lives and resources with each other, which they believed was a reflection of the communal nature of the Christian faith.

On the other hand, the Jesuits, or the Society of Jesus, were founded in the 16th century by Saint Ignatius of Loyola. Their approach to evangelisation was quite different. They emphasised obedience to the Church and individual spiritual development. Ignatius developed a method of prayer and meditation known as the Spiritual Exercises, which were designed to help individuals discern God's will in their lives. The Jesuits were also known for their missionary work, often going to places where other religious orders would not or could not go.

While both orders were committed to spreading the Christian faith, their methods reflected their different understandings of how best to achieve this goal. The Dominicans believed that intellectual engagement and community life were essential for effective evangelisation, while the Jesuits emphasised obedience and individual spiritual development. These differences in approach can be seen in the various activities and initiatives that each order undertook, from the Dominicans' establishment of schools and universities to the Jesuits' development of the Spiritual Exercises and their missionary work.