About St. Ignatius
St. Ignatius of Loyola was a 16th-century Spanish nobleman whose transformation from soldier to saint led to the founding of the Jesuit order. Born into a noble Basque family, his early life was focused on military glory until a cannonball shattered his leg during the battle of Pamplona in 1521. During his long recovery, he read the lives of saints and the life of Christ, experiencing a profound conversion that led him to abandon his military career. After a period of intense prayer and penance at Manresa, where he composed the basis of his famous “Spiritual Exercises,” he pursued education despite being in his thirties and struggling to learn Latin alongside young students. With a group of companions from the University of Paris, including St. Francis Xavier, he founded the Society of Jesus (Jesuits) in 1540, creating an order focused on education, missionary work, and finding “God in all things.” His systematic approach to spiritual growth through the Spiritual Exercises, which includes the Daily Examen and discernment of spirits, continues to influence Christian spirituality today. Despite suffering from poor health and facing opposition from both church and state authorities, he led the rapidly growing Jesuit order until his death in 1556, establishing it as a major force in Catholic education, missionary work, and spiritual formation.
Prayers & Devotions
