Ad maiorem Dei gloriam
Encyclopedia
Ad maiorem Dei gloriam or ad majorem Dei gloriam, also rendered as the abbreviation AMDG, is the Latin motto
of the Society of Jesus
, a religious order within the auspices of the Roman Catholic Church
. The motto is translated into English
as "For the greater glory of God".
, who intended it to serve as a cornerstone sentiment of the society's religious philosophy. It is a summary of the idea that any work that is not evil, even one that would normally be considered inconsequential to the spiritual life, can be spiritually meritorious if it is performed in order to give glory to God.
of the saint.
This phrase is the motto of many Jesuit educational institutions, including eight of the twenty-eight members of the Association of Jesuit Colleges and Universities
, and many high schools worldwide. In Georgetown University
's Gaston Hall, the phrase is followed by inque hominum salutem, producing a longer phrase: "For the greater glory of God and the salvation of humanity."
It once was common for students at Jesuit schools and universities to write the initialism at the tops of their papers, to remind them that even their schoolwork ought to be dedicated to augmenting the glory of God. The abbreviation was frequently included in the signatures of Pope John Paul II
. It is repeatedly quoted by the Jesuit character in Flann O'Brien
's book The Hard Life
.
The motto of the Catholic fraternity Alpha Delta Gamma
is Ad Dei Gloriam, which translates to "For the Glory of God." This motto is the origin of fraternity's name, as the Roman initials "ADG" are rendered in Greek with the letters alpha, delta, and gamma.
Because of its religious implications, several companies and organizations, such as Magnoli Clothiers have even adopted the acronym for the Latin phrase as a part of the company's or association's name. Associations in varying fields of business, from architecture to finance, and healthcare to technology, demonstrate the widespread influence of this Christian influenced phrase.
Motto
A motto is a phrase meant to formally summarize the general motivation or intention of a social group or organization. A motto may be in any language, but Latin is the most used. The local language is usual in the mottoes of governments...
of the Society of Jesus
Society of Jesus
The Society of Jesus is a Catholic male religious order that follows the teachings of the Catholic Church. The members are called Jesuits, and are also known colloquially as "God's Army" and as "The Company," these being references to founder Ignatius of Loyola's military background and a...
, a religious order within the auspices of the Roman Catholic Church
Roman Catholic Church
The Catholic Church, also known as the Roman Catholic Church, is the world's largest Christian church, with over a billion members. Led by the Pope, it defines its mission as spreading the gospel of Jesus Christ, administering the sacraments and exercising charity...
. The motto is translated into English
English language
English is a West Germanic language that arose in the Anglo-Saxon kingdoms of England and spread into what was to become south-east Scotland under the influence of the Anglian medieval kingdom of Northumbria...
as "For the greater glory of God".
Meaning
The origin of the phrase is attributed to the founder of the Jesuits, Saint Ignatius of LoyolaIgnatius of Loyola
Ignatius of Loyola was a Spanish knight from a Basque noble family, hermit, priest since 1537, and theologian, who founded the Society of Jesus and was its first Superior General. Ignatius emerged as a religious leader during the Counter-Reformation...
, who intended it to serve as a cornerstone sentiment of the society's religious philosophy. It is a summary of the idea that any work that is not evil, even one that would normally be considered inconsequential to the spiritual life, can be spiritually meritorious if it is performed in order to give glory to God.
Use
When images of Saint Ignatius depict him carrying a book, the motto is often inscribed within—representative of the religious writingsSpiritual Exercises of Ignatius of Loyola
The Spiritual Exercises of St. Ignatius of Loyola, are a set of Christian meditations, prayers and mental exercises, divided into four thematic 'weeks' of variable length, designed to be carried out over a period of 28 to 30 days...
of the saint.
This phrase is the motto of many Jesuit educational institutions, including eight of the twenty-eight members of the Association of Jesuit Colleges and Universities
Association of Jesuit Colleges and Universities
The Association of Jesuit Colleges and Universities is a consortium of the 28 Jesuit colleges and universities and two theological centers in the United States committed to advancing academic excellence by promoting and coordinating collaborative activities, sharing resources, and advocating and...
, and many high schools worldwide. In Georgetown University
Georgetown University
Georgetown University is a private, Jesuit, research university whose main campus is in the Georgetown neighborhood of Washington, D.C. Founded in 1789, it is the oldest Catholic university in the United States...
's Gaston Hall, the phrase is followed by inque hominum salutem, producing a longer phrase: "For the greater glory of God and the salvation of humanity."
It once was common for students at Jesuit schools and universities to write the initialism at the tops of their papers, to remind them that even their schoolwork ought to be dedicated to augmenting the glory of God. The abbreviation was frequently included in the signatures of Pope John Paul II
Pope John Paul II
Blessed Pope John Paul II , born Karol Józef Wojtyła , reigned as Pope of the Catholic Church and Sovereign of Vatican City from 16 October 1978 until his death on 2 April 2005, at of age. His was the second-longest documented pontificate, which lasted ; only Pope Pius IX ...
. It is repeatedly quoted by the Jesuit character in Flann O'Brien
Flann O'Brien
Brian O'Nolan was an Irish novelist, playwright and satirist regarded as a key figure in postmodern literature. Best known for novels such as At Swim-Two-Birds, The Third Policeman and An Béal Bocht and many satirical columns in The Irish Times Brian O'Nolan (5 October 1911 – 1 April 1966) was...
's book The Hard Life
The Hard Life
The Hard Life: An Exegesis of Squalor is a comic novel by Flann O'Brien . Published in 1961, it was O'Brien's fourth novel and the third to be published....
.
The motto of the Catholic fraternity Alpha Delta Gamma
Alpha Delta Gamma
Alpha Delta Gamma National Fraternity is an American Greek-letter social fraternity and one of 74 members of the North-American Interfraternity Conference...
is Ad Dei Gloriam, which translates to "For the Glory of God." This motto is the origin of fraternity's name, as the Roman initials "ADG" are rendered in Greek with the letters alpha, delta, and gamma.
Because of its religious implications, several companies and organizations, such as Magnoli Clothiers have even adopted the acronym for the Latin phrase as a part of the company's or association's name. Associations in varying fields of business, from architecture to finance, and healthcare to technology, demonstrate the widespread influence of this Christian influenced phrase.