Saint Ignatius of Loyola - Spiritual, Timeline and Family
Saint Ignatius of Loyola's Personal Details
Ignatius Loyola was a Spanish knight and saint from the Basque noble family
| Information | Detail |
|---|---|
| Birthday | October 23, 1491 |
| Died on | July 31, 1556 |
| Nationality | Spanish |
| Famous | Leaders, Spiritual & Religious Leaders, Priests, Religious Leaders, Spiritual |
| Known as | Ignatius Loyola |
| Universities |
|
| Birth Place | Azpeitia |
| Religion | Roman Catholic |
| Gender | Male |
| Sun Sign | Libra |
| Born in | Azpeitia |
| Famous as | Priest |
| Died at Age | 64 |
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Saint Ignatius of Loyola's photo
Who is Saint Ignatius of Loyola?
Saint Ignatius of Loyola was of noble birth and belonged to the Noble Basque family. Early in life, he was asked to be a part of ‘court’ and developed a taste for all it offered, particularly the ladies. His early life was dotted with gambling, excesses and the occasional dueling, but as he hit adulthood, he left his lavish life at court and looked for more exciting venues, which in his case, was joining the military. However, in a battle, he was left seriously wounded and during rehabilitation, he found himself absorbing the life, the ideologies and the works of Jesus Christ. The more he read, the more he considered the deeds of saints worth emulating. Nonetheless, he began nurturing the possible devotion and the endless adulation he might receive if he became a saint himself and soon enough, he devoted himself to God. He claimed that he saw a vision of Virgin Mary and infant Jesus while at the shrine of ‘Our Lady of Montseratt’ and thereafter, travelled to Manresa, where he began formulating the fundamentals of ‘Spiritual Exercises’. He took a vow of chastity and soon enough, with the approval of Pope Paul III, he emerged not only as a religious leader, but also founded the Society of Jesus and became its first Superior General. Scroll further to learn more.
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Childhood & Early Life
Ignatius Loyola was born in Azpeitia, in the Basque county of Spain. He was baptized as Inigo, but started using Ignatius instead of his christening name.
The youngest of the thirteen children, he was brought up by the local blacksmith’s wife, Maria, since his biological mother had died soon after his birth. He adopted the last name, ‘de Loyola’ and was sent to become a ‘page’ in the service of the treasurer of the kingdom of Castile, Juan Velazquez.
Just like any other young noble child, he often dreamt of fame and indulged in aristocratic exercises like fencing. At the age of 17, he joined the army and participated in a number of battles.
On May 20, 1521, he was wounded by a cannonball, which left him seriously injured. During convalescence, he read the ‘De Vita Christi’, which was a commentary on the life of Jesus Christ. He also read a number of other religious and spiritual works and soon, resolved to devote himself to the conversion of non-Christians in the Holy Land.
Later Years
He visited the Benedictine monastery, ‘Santa Maria de Montserrat’ on March 25, 1522 and then travelled to the town of Manresa, Catalonia, where he practiced asceticism.
From 1522 to 1524, he authored ‘Spiritual Exercises’, a set of meditations, prayers and mental exercises. However it was not published for a very long time and was shelved for a brief period.
At the age of forty-three, he joined the College du Montaigu at the University of Paris, where he stayed for over seven years. It was after he received his degree, he was conferred the title of ‘Master Ignatius’.
On August 15, 1534, he and his companions formed the ‘Society of Jesus’, a religious association of the Catholic Church, whose affiliates, known as Jesuits, served the Pope as apostles. Loyola served as the society’s spiritual director.
In 1548, ‘Spiritual Exercises’ was finally published and he began penning the Jesuit Constitution. This was finally adopted in 1554 and the main principle of the constitution became ‘Ad maiorem Dei Gloriam’, which meant, ‘for the greater glory of God’.
From 1553 to 1555, he dictated his life story to his secretary, who helped him write his autobiography, a year before his death.
Major Works
‘Spiritual Exercises’, authored by Ignatius Loyola from 1522 to 1524, are a set of Christian meditations and prayers, written with the intention of helping others to cognize the life of Jesus Christ. The book was officially approved by Pope Paul III in 1548 and went on to become an integral application of Roman Catholic and non-Catholic practices around the world. To date, the exercises are undertaken in its original form and participants usually spend their days in silence and exercise up to 5-6 hours a day.
Personal Life & Legacy
He passed away in Rome, due to Roman Fever, a type of malaria.
He was sainted and consecrated on March 12, 1622 and was made the society’s ‘Father General’ by fellow Jesuits.
There are a number of institutes that are dedicated to Saint Ignatius including the ‘Basilica of St. Ignatius Loyola’ and a number of other schools and educational institutions worldwide.
Today, the official colours of the Loyola family are recognized as maroon and gold as per the symbol of the St. Ignatius family.
Trivia
When this noble Basque saint was 33 years old, he joined a class of young children to study Latin.
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Saint Ignatius of Loyola biography timelines
- // 23rd Oct 1491Ignatius Loyola was born in Azpeitia, in the Basque county of Spain. He was baptized as Inigo, but started using Ignatius instead of his christening name.
- // 1521On May 20, 1521, he was wounded by a cannonball, which left him seriously injured. During convalescence, he read the ‘De Vita Christi’, which was a commentary on the life of Jesus Christ. He also read a number of other religious and spiritual works and soon, resolved to devote himself to the conversion of non-Christians in the Holy Land.
- // 1522He visited the Benedictine monastery, ‘Santa Maria de Montserrat’ on March 25, 1522 and then travelled to the town of Manresa, Catalonia, where he practiced asceticism.
- // 1522 To 1524From 1522 to 1524, he authored ‘Spiritual Exercises’, a set of meditations, prayers and mental exercises. However it was not published for a very long time and was shelved for a brief period.
- // 1522 To 1524‘Spiritual Exercises’, authored by Ignatius Loyola from 1522 to 1524, are a set of Christian meditations and prayers, written with the intention of helping others to cognize the life of Jesus Christ. The book was officially approved by Pope Paul III in 1548 and went on to become an integral application of Roman Catholic and non-Catholic practices around the world. To date, the exercises are undertaken in its original form and participants usually spend their days in silence and exercise up to 5-6 hours a day.
- // 1534On August 15, 1534, he and his companions formed the ‘Society of Jesus’, a religious association of the Catholic Church, whose affiliates, known as Jesuits, served the Pope as apostles. Loyola served as the society’s spiritual director.
- // 1548In 1548, ‘Spiritual Exercises’ was finally published and he began penning the Jesuit Constitution. This was finally adopted in 1554 and the main principle of the constitution became ‘Ad maiorem Dei Gloriam’, which meant, ‘for the greater glory of God’.
- // 1553 To 1555From 1553 to 1555, he dictated his life story to his secretary, who helped him write his autobiography, a year before his death.
- // 1622He was sainted and consecrated on March 12, 1622 and was made the society’s ‘Father General’ by fellow Jesuits.
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Saint Ignatius of Loyola's FAQ
What is Saint Ignatius of Loyola birthday?
Saint Ignatius of Loyola was born at 1491-10-23
When was Saint Ignatius of Loyola died?
Saint Ignatius of Loyola was died at 1556-07-31
Where was Saint Ignatius of Loyola died?
Saint Ignatius of Loyola was died in Rome
Which age was Saint Ignatius of Loyola died?
Saint Ignatius of Loyola was died at age 64
Where is Saint Ignatius of Loyola's birth place?
Saint Ignatius of Loyola was born in Azpeitia
What is Saint Ignatius of Loyola nationalities?
Saint Ignatius of Loyola's nationalities is Spanish
What was Saint Ignatius of Loyola universities?
Saint Ignatius of Loyola studied at University of Paris, University of Alcalá
What is Saint Ignatius of Loyola's religion?
Saint Ignatius of Loyola's religion is Roman Catholic
What is Saint Ignatius of Loyola's sun sign?
Saint Ignatius of Loyola is Libra
How famous is Saint Ignatius of Loyola?
Saint Ignatius of Loyola is famouse as Priest