Ignatius was born into a noble Basque family in Loyola, Spain, in 1491, and pursued a military career until a cannonball severely wounded his leg in battle in 1521. During a long convalescence, reading about the life of Christ and the saints — the only books available to him — sparked a profound conversion.
He went on to study theology and gathered a small group of companions in Paris who, in 1540, were formally recognized by the Pope as the Society of Jesus. He wrote the "Spiritual Exercises," a structured method of prayer and discernment still widely used today, and led the rapidly growing Jesuit order until his death in Rome in 1556.
Saint Ignatius of Loyola
Founder of the Society of Jesus
A Basque Spanish soldier turned priest who founded the Society of Jesus (the Jesuits) and wrote the influential Spiritual Exercises.
- Born
- 1491
- Died
- 1556
- Birthplace
- Loyola, Spain
- Died in
- Rome, Italy
- Country
- Spain
- Canonised
- 1622-03-12
- Century
- 16th century
Why People Pray to Saint Ignatius of Loyola
Saint Ignatius is invoked by those seeking discernment in major life decisions, and by educators and retreat leaders drawing on his Spiritual Exercises.
