What was the primary goal of the Jesuit Order during the Counter-Reformation?

The primary goal of the Jesuit Order during the Counter-Reformation was to promote education and win back believers. Founded by St. Ignatius of Loyola in the 16th century, the Jesuits focused on providing a rigorous education and spreading Catholic doctrine through missionary work. They established schools, universities, and seminaries, emphasizing scholarly study and a deep understanding of faith as means to counter the Protestant Reformation. This educational approach not only aimed to deepen the faith of existing Catholics but also sought to attract and convert those who had turned away from the Church.

In contrast, the use of military action to enforce Catholicism, withdrawal from public life, and the establishment of new religious doctrines do not accurately reflect the Jesuits' missions or methods during this critical period. The Jesuits actively engaged in society and the intellectual discourse of their time, using education as their primary tool to influence both the faithful and those being won back to the Catholic Church.