The Life of St. Ignatius Loyola

The Life of St. Ignatius Loyola

Overview

  • Background:

    • St. Ignatius Loyola, originally named Inigo de Loyola.

    • Recognized as a Soldier, Founder of the Society of Jesus (Jesuits), and a Saint.

Early Life

  • Birth Information:

    • Year: 1491

    • Place: Azpeitia, Basque province of Guipuzcoa, northern Spain.

    • Family: Youngest of 13 children.

  • Initial Career:

    • Age 16 (1508): Left home to serve as a page for Juan Velazques, the treasurer of the kingdom of Castile.

    • Experiences: Frequent presence at court resulted in a strong desire for material wealth and status.

Military Career

  • Rise to Officer:

    • Inigo became an officer in the Spanish army.

    • Battle Experience:

    • Date: May 20, 1521

    • Event: Battle of Pamplona

    • Incident: Leg injured by a cannonball, leading to a year of recovery.

Spiritual Transformation

  • Recovery Period:

    • Bedridden recovery from injury prompts reflection and a search for reading material.

    • Request for Books:

    • Preferred reading: Chivalric romance novels.

    • Availability: None found at the family castle.

    • Alternative: Books about the life of Christ and biographies of saints.

  • Impact of Reading:

    • Initial thoughts: Expected enjoyment from chivalric stories.

    • Outcome: Engaged and captivated by the stories about saints, with notable figures including:

    • Francis of Assisi

    • Catherine of Siena

  • Spiritual Awakening:

    • Realization: God was actively working within him, providing insights that prompted, guided, and invited him towards a deeper spiritual life.