Who’s the most influential Jesuit of the 20th century? It’s been about 10 months since we starting polling our readers to find out and the answer so far is Pedro Arrupe, SJ with 34% of the vote. (Karl Rahner is next with 19%.)

So what makes Fr. Arrupe such an influential character? He’s often credited within the Society for helping move the Jesuits into a new appreciation of our founder’s charism – as prompted by Vatican II. He was much loved for his easy way of finding God in the lives of people around the world and for his positive and life-affirming outlook.

He suffered during his final years but those closest to him believed that the graces never stopped coming and he found in his struggles what we all seek – to have our lives guided by God alone.

There’s much to read about Fr. Arrupe but I don’t know of any contemporary comprehensive biography. If you’ve read one (or written one, for that matter) let us know, as we’d all enjoy knowing more about the man who wrote the following:

To a young man who wishes to be a Jesuit, I would say:

Stay at home if this idea makes you unsettled or nervous. Do not come to us if you love the Church like a stepmother, rather than a mother. Do not come if you think that in so doing you will be doing the Society of Jesus a favour.

Come if serving Christ is at the very center of your life. Come if you have broad and sufficiently strong shoulders. Come if you have an open spirit, a reasonably open mind and a heart larger than the world. Come if you know how to tell a joke and can laugh with others and … on occasions you can laugh at yourself.

- Pedro Arrupe, SJ