Happy Sunday! Today is also the feast of the great founder of the Society of Jesus, the Jesuit Order, St. Ignatius Loyola (+1556).
His was a remarkable life -- a soldier converted while wounded by reading the lives of the saints in his convalescence; founded the Jesuits in 1540 with the approval of Pope Paul III; wrote the magnificent Spiritual Exercises; founded the Roman College -- all of this Ad Majorem Dei Gloriam, for the greater glory of God. At his death in Rome in 1556AD, his order had over a thousand members, 76 houses, 12 provinces, and had members in modern countries including Brazil, India, and Japan in the missions there.
The traditional office of Matins provides this brief biography:
"A Spaniard, born at Loyola in Cantabria, Ignatius first served in the court of the Most Catholic King and then in the army. In the defence of Pampeluna, he was wounded. As he lay in a long convalescence, the chance reading of some holy books gave him a burning desire to follow in the footsteps of Christ and the Saints. He went to Montserrat, hung up his arms before the Altar of the Blessed Virgin, and spent a whole night in prayer, thus entering on his new profession of holy warfare. The austerity of his life was extraordinary. He was ignorant of letters but, refreshed by brilliant illuminations from God, he composed the Exercises, a wonderful book approved by the Apostolic See and also by its usefulness to everyone. At Paris he was joined by nine companions of different nations all studying at the university, and there at Montmartre he laid the first foundations of the Society of Jesus which were later completed at Rome. To the three customary vows was added one to carry out the command of the Apostolic See concerning the Missions. Ignatius gave aid in increasing the beauty of churches, in teaching catechism, and in fostering attendance at sermons and the reception of the sacraments. He was most zealous for the spread of the Christian religion everywhere, and exercised a wonderful power over demons. In the sixty-fifth year of his age, he went to receive the embrace of his Lord, whose greater glory he had always sought in all things. Pius XI appointed and declared him the heavenly patron of all spiritual exercises or retreats."
St. Ignatius of Loyola is buried in the Church of the Gesu in Roma, one of the prototypes of the Baroque Church. He is buried in the left transept in a chapel that was the work of the great Baroque artist Andrea Pozzo (+1709AD)
The facade and interior of the Gesu in Rome, Italy. St. Ignatius is buried in the left transept.
You might visit the official site of that Church, which does have a virtual tour: Chiesa del Gesu, Roma, Italia
I might add, too, that one of the books that helped bring about his conversion was none other than the Golden Legend by Blessed Jacobus de Voragine, OP: Catholic Saints Info: The Golden Legend, by Blessed Jacobus de Voragine
For a short read from the wisdom of St. Ignatius, you might note: 14 Rules for the Discernment of Spirits
For more information: Catholic Saints Info: St. Ignatius of Loyola
Catholic New Agency: St. Ignatius of Loyola
and: Old Catholic Encyclopedia: St. Ignatius of Loyola
I leave you with some music composed by a spiritual son of St. Ignatius, and a missionary to the Jesuit South American Reductions, Domenico Zipoli, SJ (+1726AD), in honor of St. Ignatius:
Live well!
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