St. Ignatius of Loyola

St. Ignatius of Loyola was born in Spain in 1491. The youngest of more than 10 children in a noble family, St. Ignatius became a soldier in the army in 1517. After a bad leg injury during a battle in May 1521, the saint needed a lot of time to rest and heal. During that time he read religious books, and he also spent a lot of time in contemplation. He wrote his “Spiritual Exercises” during this time; Ignatian spirituality includes “finding God in all things.” After healing, St. Ignatius took a vow of chastity, became a Christian and received a degree in theology. The saint founded the Society of Jesus, which gained papal approval as a religious order in 1540. He served as General Superior from 1540 until his death in 1556. St. Ignatius of Loyola is patron saint of the Jesuits.