Magis.html

Society of Jesus
History of the Jesuits Regimini militantis Suppression Jesuit Hierarchy Superior General Adolfo Nicolás Ignatian Spirituality Spiritual Exercises Ad maiorem Dei gloriam Magis Discernment Famous Jesuits St. Ignatius of Loyola St. Francis Xavier Blessed Peter Faber St. Aloysius Gonzaga St. Robert Bellarmine St. Peter Canisius St. Edmund Campion

This article is about the Latin motto and the philosophy it applies to. For the service organization at Loyola Marymount University, see Magis (Service Organization).

Magis (pronounced "màh-gis") is a Jesuit phrase that means "the more". It is taken from Ad majorem Dei gloriam, a Latin phrase meaning "for the greater glory of God". Magis refers to the philosophy of doing more, for Christ, and therefore for others. It is an expression of an aspiration and inspiration. It relates to forming the ideal society centered around Jesus Christ.

The roots of the phrase are ascribed to St. Ignatius' exercise of doing more for God. He would encourage people around him during his time by asking: "What have I done for God? What am I doing for God? and What MORE can I do for God?"