The story of Saint Ignatius of Loyola

A knight wounded in his pride

Ignatius of Loyola was born in 1491 into a noble family in the Spanish Basque country. Initially a knight at court, he dreamt of glory, battles and exploits. But in 1521, during the siege of Pamplona, he was seriously wounded in the leg by a cannonball. Bedridden for many months, he suffered not only physical pain, but also a profound inner reappraisal.

To pass the time, Ignatius asked for chivalric novels. But failing that, he is given a Life of Christ and Lives of Saints to read. Little by little, a transformation takes place: he discovers another form of heroism that of the saints and understands that the real battle is fought in the soul, not on the battlefield. He then decides to convert, to renounce the vanity of the world, and to follow Christ.

The pilgrim of God

Healed, Ignatius left everything behind to lead a life of penance. He withdrew to a cave at Manrèse, near Montserrat, where he had an intense spiritual experience. There he received many inner insights and began to write the Spiritual Exercises, a journey of prayer, meditation and discernment that would become a treasure for the Church.

From there began a long journey: Ignatius became a pilgrim, with no fortune and no set plan, going from town to town, begging, studying, praying. Little by little, he realises that God is calling him to serve not alone, but with others.

Founder of the Society of Jesus

Ignatius resumes his studies in Paris, despite his age and poverty. There, he made friends with a small group of fervent students: François Xavier, Pierre Favre and others. Together, they consecrated themselves to God by taking vows of poverty, chastity and obedience. In 1540, Pope Paul III approved their foundation: the Society of Jesus, better known as the Jesuits.

Ignace became its superior general. He organised the mission of his companions with remarkable rigour. The Jesuits embarked on education, far-flung missions, helping the poor and advising kings. Their motto: "Ad majorem Dei gloriam". For the greater glory of God.

Ignatius founded colleges, wrote letters, and guided his brothers with uncommon practical and spiritual wisdom. He died in Rome in 1556, leaving a dynamic order that would play an immense role in the history of the modern Church.

The master of discernment

St Ignatius teaches us the art of discerning the movements of the soul, of choosing according to the Spirit, of freeing ourselves from disordered attachments to make ourselves totally available to God's will. His Spiritual Exercises are still used in retreats and spiritual guidance.

He is also a master of spiritual realism: "Pray as if everything depended on God, but act as if everything depended on you." This fruitful tension between contemplation and action sums up the Ignatian spirit.

Canonised in 1622, Ignatius is the patron saint of spiritual retreats and directors of conscience.