St. Ignatius of Loyola was born in 1491 in the Basque region of Spain to a noble family. He had a conversion experience after being injured in a battle and reading religious texts during his recovery. This led him to found the Society of Jesus, also known as the Jesuits, which was approved by the Pope in 1540. When Ignatius died in 1556, the Jesuits had over 1,000 members and focused on the motto "For the Greater Glory of God." St. Ignatius was the first superior general of the Jesuits and helped establish them before his death.

1. St. Ignatius of Loyola By Michael Penn

2. Ignatius’ Birth He was born in 1491 He was born in the Basque region in Spain He was born Inigo Lopez He was born into nobility He was the last of 13 children He was born at the tower house He was born in the reign of Ferdinand and Isabella

3. Early life to young adulthood His mother died when he was seven He changed his last name to Loyola He became a page at age 16 He was a soldier for Spain Ignatius was a fighter He drank alcohol a lot He was a gambler He loved the ladies

4. Conversion Experience In 1521 Ignatius was hit in the legs by a cannon ball while defending the city of Pamplona from the French. He had his leg broken and reset three times. None of the operations were successful. Ignatius walked with a limp for the rest of his life. While he was healing he read books about the life of Christ and the saints. While reading these Ignatius realized the saints and Christ had gone through great troubles. Ignatius had wanted to become a “Soldier of Christ”.

5. The Jesuits In 1540 Pope Paul the third approved the society of Jesus with the document RegiminiMilitantes Ecclesiae. When Ignatius died in 1556, there were over 1,000 Jesuits. The Jesuit Motto “Ad Majorem Dei Gloriam” is latin for “For the Greater Glory of God.” St. Ignatius was the first superior general of the Jesuits. In 1773 Jesuits were suppressed in Europe. In 1807 they had been reinstated.

6. Interesting Facts Ignatius died of “Roman Fever” He once allowed the donkey he was riding to determine whether he would follow and murder someone he thought had insulted the Blessed Virgin Mary. He cried so much at mass that he would go blind. At age 33 he joined a class of young children so could learn Latin. He once spent 42 days imprisoned by the Spanish Inquisition.