>>12777790Ignatius of Loyola was a senior member of the Alumbrados, and was tasked with infiltrating the Catholic Church with a new group modeled on a non-military version of the Knights Templar. The group he founded was the Order of the Jesuits.
The Alumbrados recruited a number of Jewish "converts" who were forced by the Spanish authorities to convert to Christianity, if they wanted to stay in the country or even simply to stay alive. Many of these were well versed in the teachings of Kabbalah. "Moriscos " (Moors forced to convert) were also recruited. The converts and Moors were generally those who were already uncomfortable with their original religions, although they had no inclination towards Christianity, as they had simply been converted out of convenience and not out of any conviction.
Like the hesychasts, the Alumbrados intended to reach a state of perfection that would allow them to experience a vision of God, a direct encounter with the transcendental divine. At that time, when they had received the "light", they would be able to communicate directly with their superior.
The Alumbrados were persecuted by the Spanish Inquisition, and were expelled from Spain. Many went to neighboring France, where they were known as the Illuminés (and sometimes as Guerinists after their local leader Pierre Guerin). The authorities suppressed them in 1635. A new group emerged in the 18th century, came under constant persecution, and fled to England where they became known as "French prophets". His writings influenced Jean-Jacques Rousseau. Another French Illuminati chapter was founded by Martinez de Pasqually who was of Spanish descent and had a great knowledge of the teachings of Kabbalah. This group later became popularly known as Martinists after their new leader, Louis Claude de Saint-Martin.
