On July 31 the Church celebrates one of her most well-known saints, St. Ignatius of Loyola. Today he is remembered best for his Spiritual Exercises, a method of prayer in which you imagine yourself in the Gospel story, and for founding the Jesuit order. Here’s a little more about this notable man.
Biography
Born in Spain in 1491 and named Inigo by his parents, St. Ignatius was one of thirteen children. His parents were minor nobility and Ignatius grew up enamored by knights and chivalric tales. It’s not surprising therefore that at age seventeen, Ignatius joined the army. In 1521 he was seriously wounded in battle with the French. Sent back to his father’s castle, Ignatius had a long and painful recuperation. To keep him occupied, his sister-in-law gave him books about the life of Jesus and the saints to read. This was the start of Ignatius’s conversion.
After he healed, Ignatius was determined to change his life. He went on pilgrimage, gave his fine clothes to the poor, and left his sword and dagger at Mary’s altar. He would not return to the army, instead choosing a life of prayer and asceticism.
At age thirty-three, Ignatius went back to school He studied theology and Latin, later moving to Paris, France to continue his academic career and attain a masters degree. It was in France that he met the companions who would become his closest friends and would aid him in founding his new religious order.
The Jesuit Order, or the Society of Jesus, was founded in 1539 by Ignatius, Peter Faber, and Francis Xavier. The new order stressed self-denial and obedience to the Pope and Church hierarchy. It was approved by Pope Paul III in 1540. Ignatius was the first superior general of the order, sending his companions all over the world to create schools, colleges, and seminaries.
In a letter to Francis Xavier before he left for India, Ignatius wrote, “go and set the world on fire.” Missionary work was very important to the Jesuits, and just in St. Ignatius' lifetime, missions were established in Africa, India, Malaysia, Indonesia and Japan!
St. Ignatius died in Rome on July 31, 1556. He was beatified by Pope Paul V in 1609 and canonized by Pope Gregory XV in 1622.
Today, the Jesuits can still be found in academic settings all over the world. They continue to use Ignatius’s motto “ad maiorem Dei gloriam” (for the greater glory of God).
Interesting Jesuit Facts
Jesuits often operated in countries where rulers persecuted Catholics, and many suffered martyrdom for their faith.
The Jesuits introduced China to Western science and philosophy!
Unlike most religious orders, members of the Society of Jesus do not wear a habit.
The Jesuits were disbanded in 1773 but reinstated in 1814.
There are about 15,000 Jesuits serving today.
In 2013, Pope Francis became the first ever Jesuit Pope.
Colleen Pressprich is the author of Marian Consecration for Families with Young Children and The Women Doctors of the Church. She is a homeschooling mom of five who lives with her family in Michigan.
