THE CATHOLIC FEAST
DATE: JULY 31
NAME:
SAINT IGNATIUS OF LOYOLA
PATRONAGE
Spain, military ordinariate of the Philippines, retreats (proclaimed on 25 July 1922 by Pope Pius XI)
Society of Jesus, soldiers, Spiritual Exercises (by Pope Pius XI), World Youth Day 2011
HIS LIFE PROFILE
Saint Ignatius of Loyola is the famous founder of the Jesuits.
He was born in the family castle in Guipúzcoa, Spain, on 23 October 1491. He was the youngest of 13 children, and was called Ińigo.
When he was old enough, he was sent to be a page at the royal court.
There he lived on the desire to someday become a great soldier to fight against the French and which indeed he came.
Later, he did indeed win honor for his courage in the battle of Pamplona. However, a wound from a cannon ball forced him to spend months in bed at Loyola Castle.
Ignatius asked for some books to read in his sick bed. He preferred stories of knights, but only biographies of Jesus and the saints were available. Having nothing else to do, he read them.
Gradually, the books began to make an impression on him. His life began to change. He said to himself: “These were men and women like me, so why can’t I do what they have done?” All the glory he had wanted seemed worthless now. He began to imitate the saints in their prayers, penances, and good works.
When he recovered, he made a pilgrimage to Monserrat. He left his sword there at the altar and gave his rich clothes to a poor beggar. He went on to Manressa where he spent 1522 and 1523 in a prayerful retreat. In the hopes of becoming a priest, Ignatius began his education by studying grammar in Barcelona.
The rest of the students were much younger than Ignatius, who was thirty–three. Yet Ignatius went to the class because he knew he would need this knowledge to help him in his ministry. With patience and even a laugh now and then, he took the boys’ jeers and taunts.
During this time, he tried to teach and encourage people to pray. For this he was suspected of heresy and put in jail for a while! But that was not going to stop Ignatius. “The whole city does not contain as many chains as I desire to wear for love of Jesus,” he said. He was found innocent and released.
He went on to Paris to perfect his Latin and study philosophy.
Ignatius was forty–three when he graduated from the University of Paris. With six other students, he professed religious vows in 1534. Ignatius and those of his companions who were not yet priests were ordained in 1539. They promised to work for God in whatever way the Holy Father thought best.
In 1540, their Order was officially recognized by the pope. Before Ignatius died, there were 1,000 members of the Society of Jesus or “Jesuits.” They were doing much good work teaching and preaching.
Ignatius often prayed, “Give me only your love and your grace. With this I am rich enough and ask for nothing more.”
Saint Ignatius died in Rome, on July 31, 1556. Pope Gregory XV proclaimed him a saint in 1622.
PRAYER
[For Generosity By Saint Ignatius Of Loyola]
Eternal Word, only begotten Son of God;
Teach me true generosity.
Teach me to serve you as You deserve;
To give without counting the cost;
To fight heedless of wounds,
To labor without seeking rest;
To sacrifice myself without thought of any reward.
Save the knowledge that I have done Your will.
Amen.
SAINT IGNATIUS,
PRAY FOR US.
AMEN!
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