St Ignatius Loyola

Saint Ignatius of Loyola (1491–1556) was born into a noble family in the Basque region of Spain. As a young man, he pursued a life of chivalry, serving as a soldier and seeking glory. His life changed dramatically in 1521 when he was gravely wounded by a cannonball during the Battle of Pamplona. During his long recovery, Ignatius had only two books available: a life of Christ and stories of the saints. Immersing himself in these, he experienced a profound spiritual conversion, deciding to leave behind worldly ambitions to serve Christ alone. Ignatius became a pilgrim, studying theology in Paris where he gathered companions who shared his zeal. Together they founded the Society of Jesus (Jesuits) in 1540, with a mission to defend and spread the Catholic faith through education, missionary work, and spiritual formation. He is most known for his Spiritual Exercises, a method of prayer and discernment that continues to guide countless Catholics today. He spent his final years in Rome overseeing the growth of the Jesuit order, which became a leading force in the Counter-Reformation and in global evangelization.