St. Ignatius of Loyola, S.J. (1491-1556)
Feast Day - July 31st
Ignatius, a Basque, entered military service at age 18. Convalescing from serious injury, he read lives of Christ and the saints, resolving to follow their example in devoting himself to God. The difference he noticed between the consolation of godly thoughts and desolation of the worldly deepened his spiritual understanding, from which he developed the Spiritual Exercises to enable "conquest of self and the regulation of one's life" free from "inordinate attachment." He devoted himself to prayer and spiritual direction until, at age 33, he resolved to undertake more study to under gird his efforts. Ignatius begged for his living and continued various ministries alongside his studies. In Paris a band of fellow students underwent the Exercises and, with Ignatius, vowed to preach in Palestine or wherever the pope might send them. Failing to reach Palestine they went to Rome where, over time, the companions were ordained priests and formed the Society of Jesus under Ignatius' leadership. Forgoing traditional religious obligations that might hinder "those works of charity to which we have wholly devoted ourselves,'' he and his followers labored "for the greater glory of God." Patron of spiritual retreats, soldiers
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