St. Ignatius of Loyola is renowned for establishing the Society of Jesus, commonly known as the Jesuits, and composing the "Spiritual Exercises," widely employed in retreats and personal discernment today. St. Ignatius was born in 1491 into a noble family in Guipuzcoa, Spain. Ignatius served as a page in the Spanish court during the reign of Ferdinand and Isabella. Afterward, he joined the Spanish army and suffered a leg wound during the siege of Pamplona in 1521. During recovery from the leg injury, he read "Lives of the Saints," this experience led him to undergo conversion and dedicate himself to the Catholic faith. Following a general confession in a monastery at Montserrat, St. Ignatius spent nearly a year in solitude. He authored his renowned "Spiritual Exercises" before embarking on a pilgrimage to Rome and the Holy Land, where he endeavored to convert Muslims.
Upon his return, St. Ignatius completed his studies in Spain and subsequently in France, where he earned his theology degree. Despite facing contempt for his holy lifestyle, St. Ignatius' wisdom and virtue drew followers, giving birth to the Society of Jesus. Pope Paul III approved the Society in 1540, and it experienced rapid growth after that. St. Ignatius remained in Rome, where he governed the Society and became friends with St. Philip Neri. St. Ignatius passed away peacefully on July 31, 1556, and in 1622, Pope Gregory XV canonized him.
St. Ignatius of Loyola, you listened to God's call to a life of selfless service. Obtain for us the grace to be attentive to God's voice and discern His will.
Jonathan Fabian Ginunggil,
Most High Servant,
Jesus, Mary, Joseph Ministry of Love
(Blessed and Saints and the Nine Choirs of Angels)
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