JESUITS ON...Ignatius of Loyola
Summary
TLDRInigo López de Loyola, a gilded aristocrat and soldier of fortune, underwent a profound transformation to become St. Ignatius of Loyola, the founder of the Society of Jesus. Born into a noble but impoverished family in 1491, Ignatius experienced a life-altering injury during the French invasion of Spain. His recovery period led to introspection, spiritual awakening, and a competitive desire to emulate saints. His journey included a vision at Manresa, which solidified his commitment to a religious life. Ignatius's Spiritual Exercises and emphasis on finding God in all things became the foundation for the Jesuits, a religious order dedicated to education and service, with a structure that allowed for global impact and adaptability.
Takeaways
- 🏰 Inigo Lopez de Loyola, born into a noble but impoverished Basque family, was shaped by his aristocratic upbringing and the significant historical shifts of his time.
- 👦 As the 11th child, Inigo was raised by his brother after his parents' early death, which influenced his early life and aspirations.
- 🎭 In his youth, Inigo was trained in courtly arts, including dancing and military skills, which prepared him for a life as a soldier and courtier.
- 🏰 The French invasion of Spain in 1520 and the defense of Pamplona were pivotal experiences that led to Inigo's serious injury and subsequent spiritual awakening.
- 📚 During his recovery, Inigo underwent a profound period of introspection, inspired by the lives of saints like St. Francis and St. Dominic, which sparked his religious conversion.
- 🧘 In 1522, after a transformative experience, Inigo left his castle as a changed man, embarking on a journey to explore his new spiritual life.
- 🗡️ A pivotal moment in his conversion was a vision at the abbey of Montserrat, where Inigo decided to live as a knight for God, symbolizing his commitment by leaving his sword behind.
- 🌟 At Manresa, Inigo had a life-changing enlightenment, which he considered the most significant spiritual experience, leading to the development of his Spiritual Exercises.
- 📝 Ignatius began documenting his spiritual experiences, which would later form the basis of the Spiritual Exercises, a guide for personal growth and aligning one's life with God's will.
- 🤝 In Paris, Ignatius gathered a group of companions who shared his vision, eventually forming the Society of Jesus, or the Jesuits, with a vow to live in service to the church and the world.
- ✝️ Despite initial resistance from the Inquisition, Ignatius's Spiritual Exercises and the Jesuit order received papal approval, marking a significant development in the Catholic Church.
Q & A
Who was Inigo Lopez de Loyola before his conversion?
-Inigo Lopez de Loyola was a gilded aristocrat and a soldier of fortune from a noble but impoverished family in the Basque Country, Spain. He was trained in the arts of courtly life, including dancing, treating ladies, and military arts.
What significant event in Inigo's life led to his conversion?
-Inigo Lopez de Loyola's conversion was sparked by a severe leg injury he sustained during the defense of Pamplona against the French invasion in 1521. His long recovery period led to a period of introspection and reading about saints, which stirred a desire to emulate and surpass them.
How did Ignatius of Loyola's early life experiences shape his later religious path?
-Ignatius of Loyola's early life as a courtier and soldier provided him with a competitive spirit and a strong sense of identity, which he later channeled into his religious pursuits. His experiences of nobility and military life influenced his approach to spirituality and leadership within the Society of Jesus.
What was the significance of Ignatius's vision at Manresa?
-Ignatius's vision at Manresa was a pivotal moment in his life, leading to a profound enlightenment and a deeper understanding of his relationship with the world and God. It marked a significant milestone in his conversion and laid the foundation for his Spiritual Exercises.
What is the Spiritual Exercises of Ignatius of Loyola?
-The Spiritual Exercises are a set of notes and meditations that Ignatius of Loyola developed, based on his own spiritual experiences. They are designed to help individuals grow in their relationship with God through prayer, meditation, and contemplation, aiming to align one's life with God's will.
How did Ignatius of Loyola's education and formation of the Society of Jesus relate to each other?
-Ignatius of Loyola's education was a response to the Inquisition's advice for him to gain theological knowledge. This education, along with his Spiritual Exercises, led to the formation of the Society of Jesus, a new religious order dedicated to helping souls and living a life in sync with the will of God.
What was the role of the Inquisition in Ignatius of Loyola's life?
-The Inquisition initially posed a challenge to Ignatius of Loyola as they were wary of his unorthodox spiritual experiences and teachings. However, after explaining his Spiritual Exercises, Ignatius was allowed to continue his work but was strongly advised to obtain a theological education.
How did Ignatius of Loyola's companions contribute to the formation of the Society of Jesus?
-Ignatius of Loyola gathered around him a group of six companions who shared his vision and understanding of life. They took vows together and desired to live a life in service to God, which eventually led to the formal establishment of the Society of Jesus, also known as the Jesuits.
What was the significance of Ignatius of Loyola's vision on his way to Rome?
-Ignatius's vision of being placed with Jesus on his way to Rome was a reaffirmation of his mission and a sign that his efforts to establish the Society of Jesus were on the right path. It provided him with the confidence and assurance to continue his work.
How did Ignatius of Loyola's leadership style impact the growth of the Society of Jesus?
-Ignatius of Loyola's leadership style was characterized by humility, spiritual vigor, and a focus on the will of God. His approachability, warmth, and the personal letters he wrote to his companions contributed to the rapid growth of the Society of Jesus, attracting many members who were inspired by his spirituality and vision.
What is the legacy of St. Ignatius of Loyola today?
-St. Ignatius of Loyola's legacy is primarily reflected in the continued existence and influence of the Society of Jesus, which he founded. The Jesuits are known for their educational, spiritual, and social justice work worldwide. Additionally, his Spiritual Exercises continue to be a significant guide for personal spiritual growth and discernment.
Outlines
🎖️ Early Life and Military Career of Ignatius of Loyola
Ignatius of Loyola, originally named Inigo Lopez, was born into a noble but impoverished Basque family in Spain. As the 11th child, he was raised by his brother after his parents' early death. At a young age, he was sent to learn the arts of courtly life, including dancing and military skills. Inigo's life took a significant turn when he was severely wounded during the French invasion of Spain in 1520, leading him to reflect on his life and spiritual matters during his recovery. This introspection marked the beginning of his transformation from a courtier to a religious figure.
🛐 Spiritual Conversion and Visions of Ignatius
During his recovery, Ignatius experienced a profound spiritual conversion. He read about saints like St. Francis and St. Dominic, which inspired him to emulate their lives. In 1522, he left his castle to explore his new life, facing challenges and even a confrontation with a Muslim over the Virgin Mary. Ignatius had a significant vision at the abbey of Montserrat, where he decided to dedicate his life to God. He then lived in a cave in Manresa, undergoing a period of self-punishment and receiving waves of understanding that changed his perspective on life and his relationship with the world.
📜 The Spiritual Exercises and the Formation of the Society of Jesus
Ignatius began to document his spiritual experiences, which would later form the basis of his 'Spiritual Exercises.' These exercises aimed to help individuals align their lives with God's will and find God in all things. Despite initial difficulties with the Inquisition, Ignatius pursued theological education and gathered a group of like-minded companions. Together, they took vows of poverty, chastity, and obedience, with the intention of serving the Pope in Rome. Their shared experiences and commitment to Christ led to the formation of the Society of Jesus, known as the Jesuits.
🏛️ The Expansion and Legacy of the Society of Jesus
The Society of Jesus, under Ignatius's leadership, grew rapidly, with a focus on education and service. Ignatius's letters and the 'Spiritual Exercises' became central to the order's teachings. Despite health issues in his later years, Ignatius's influence remained strong, and he continued to guide the society. He emphasized the importance of spiritual freedom and the love of God above all else. After his death, Ignatius was canonized as St. Ignatius of Loyola, and his feast day is celebrated on July 31st, the day of his death.
Mindmap
Keywords
💡Ignatius of Loyola
💡Spiritual Exercises
💡Conversion
💡Society of Jesus (Jesuits)
💡Inquisition
💡Manresa
💡Pamplona
💡Copernicus
💡Canonization
💡Internal Freedom
Highlights
Inigo Lopez, later known as Ignatius of Loyola, was born into a noble but impoverished Basque family in Spain.
Ignatius was influenced by the shifting worldview of his time, including the Copernican revolution.
Raised by his brother, Ignatius was trained in courtly and military arts from a young age.
The French invasion of Spain in 1520 and the defense of Pamplona were pivotal experiences for Ignatius.
A severe leg wound and subsequent recovery period led to Ignatius's introspection and spiritual awakening.
Ignatius's reading about St. Francis and St. Dominic inspired him to emulate and surpass their spiritual achievements.
In 1522, Ignatius left his castle a changed man, embarking on a journey of spiritual exploration.
A confrontation with a Muslim over the Virgin Mary tested Ignatius's faith and commitment to non-violence.
At the Abbey of Montserrat, Ignatius decided to dedicate his life to God, symbolizing his commitment by leaving his sword behind.
In Manresa, Ignatius experienced profound spiritual visions that shaped his future path.
Ignatius's Spiritual Exercises were born out of his own experiences, aiming to align one's life with God's will.
Ignatius's approach to spirituality was practical and applicable to everyday life, not just for monks or priests.
Despite initial resistance, Ignatius eventually accepted the leadership role within the Society of Jesus.
The Society of Jesus, or Jesuits, was officially recognized by Pope Paul III, marking a significant milestone.
Ignatius's vision for the Jesuits included a focus on education, which became a cornerstone of their work.
Ignatius's leadership and the Jesuits' commitment to education and service led to rapid growth within the society.
Ignatius's letters and Spiritual Exercises provide insight into his personal transformation and spiritual guidance.
St. Ignatius of Loyola's legacy endures through the continued work and influence of the Jesuits worldwide.
Transcripts
how did a gilded aristocrat a soldier of
fortune named Inigo Lopez become the
religious revolutionary sent Ignatius of
Loyola its 4091 we're in the Basque
Country in the north of Spain this is
one year before Columbus goes off to
America it's also around the time the
Copernicus comes to the conclusion that
actually you know what the earth is not
the center of the universe so there's a
huge shift in what is what is the way
the people look at the world 4091 to a
fairly impoverished but noble family the
11th child of your own children is born
an iris to crap but an impoverished
aristocrat and I think both those things
are gonna shape who this man is gonna
become his parents died comparatively
young and he's actually brought up by
his brother in probably kind of a
courtly environment but a young age
probably in his teens he sent off to
become a quarter the man who we now call
Ignatius or Ignacio in Spanish wasn't
born that way it was actually probably
not he was probably called in iake which
is the basque form of what the spanish
name
Inigo in a way the difference between
Inigo the courtier and Ignatius the
serious inspired somewhat obsessive
Saint the name change means rather than
Casey st. Paul from Salta Paul the name
change means it's a different identity
in some ways
Ignatius is sent off at the age of 15 to
to learn the arts of what it is to be a
court here this is a man who learns
dancing this is a man who learns how to
treat ladies in a courtly way sometimes
flirtatious way this is a man who learns
the art the military arts as well and
that's what he's trained to be a
professional soldier a professional
courtier the French invasion of Spain in
1520 devastated in egos homeland village
after village city after city was swept
away by the overwhelming French army a
last-ditch defense was mounted on the
Citadel of Pamplona Inigo was an officer
in the defending force the city of
Pamplona has besieged Ignatius is the
military commander the French are
swarming into this city the city walls
are breached this is 20,000 French
troops command Ignatius has got maybe a
couple of hundred guys with him and it's
like Errol Flynn thing that is he's just
stands in the breach and holds a fort or
a bit until finally a French cannonball
gets him in the leg and wounds him
pretty severely from there the French
allow him to go home back to the castle
of Loyola which is where he was Brahma
where his border
so he's in his brother's home on his
sickbed he thinks he's gonna die
the French have done a terrible horrible
surgical job in his leg no anesthetics
but his leg is mangled and it gets
infected so forth pours into a fever
gets the last rites and actually much to
a surprise begins to get better but it's
a slow slow recuperation and so this
active guy who's been out there gung-ho
like they ass gonna lie in his band what
does he do he reads what happens to
Ignatius is that he goes through a
terrific period of introspection when he
reads about st. Francis st. Dominic he
actually begins to notice something
stirring and and it's a desire not only
to emulate these Saints but actually to
do better than them this is this very
competitive spirit which is in Ignatius
and that's kind of the root of his
conversion Loyola left the castle in
1522 a converted man his mission to
explore his new life
but his journey would not be without
struggle he goes off on a mule now you
meet some more Muslim probably speaks
Arabic um and he gets in conversation
with him they going along together and
they suddenly start talking about the
Virgin Mary and the more denies the
virginity our Virgin Mary now this is a
great insult to Ignatius a neat kind of
boils inside he doesn't really know what
to do wondering what is the best thing
to do shall I go and kill a lot more
because he's insulted my lady you think
this kind of feud of chivalric all would
be better just to total take the insult
so he lets that he lets the mule decide
now the mule takes one road but it's not
the road that the Moors take
if that hadn't happened they wouldn't be
an ignatius of loyola there wouldn't be
a Society of Jesus he goes to an abbey
outside Barcelona the ambient Montserrat
and spends the night in prayer decides
that he is gonna be almost like a knight
for God symbolically he leaves his sword
behind at the shrine and heads out to
Manresa wallet man racer Ignatius had a
vision that would be one of the most
significant and enlightening of his
entire life he lets his nails grow
doesn't wash lives in a cave it's a
minimal amount of food and it's almost
like he's trying to punish himself for
what he regarded his sins before he's
had visions before but here he gets
something which he doesn't call a vision
he but it's a kind of a an Enlightenment
in some ways and he talks about getting
wave upon wave upon wave of
understanding which changed the way that
he sees himself in relation to the world
and took out at a later point in his
life Ignatius says that of all the
things that he received from God all the
deep spiritual experiences and all the
things he studied nothing compared to
what happened at Manresa in his
conversion story this is a this is an
important milestone and it's after this
that he cuts his hair begins to live a
much more moderate life starts going out
to people engaging them in conversation
so we can see there's a kind of a
gradual evolution from this proud
military man into this somewhat
obsessive little too religious pilgrim
and we can see him gradually beginning
to find out what is it he's called to do
who is it that he's called to be
enlivened and engaged Ignatius studied
the core of his beliefs he examined how
intellect and feelings worked in his
life Ignatius started writing some
things down and it would kind of notes
that he was making about his own
spiritual experiences and these are
really the kind of the nucleus of what
later would become Spiritual Exercises
all kinds of Prayer meditation
contemplation for the growth of the soul
and really it's a little manual in some
ways for ego reduction for realizing
that I'm not the center of the universe
that God is the center of the universe
and in a way what it does is Ray is
attempt to replicate the experience that
Ignatius had Ignatius sets out rules for
discernment how can I make a choice what
are the techniques how can I know God's
will now God's world doesn't come like a
fax so we have to really examine
ourselves and in this way the Ignatius
constantly examined himself and trying
to find out one of the ways in which God
might be guiding my life and that's
really the kind of fundamental idea the
Spiritual Exercises is to put one's life
in sync with the will of God
what Ignatius is trying to do is to find
a kind of a way in which we don't
despise the world but that we actually
go around looking for the traces of God
in all things I think the closest panel
I can think about this is being in love
when you're desperately in love with
somebody you see them everywhere
everything that you go through reminds
you of them and I think that's what we
need about finding God in all things
that somehow God is never absent from
all human experience
this is not a spirituality which is just
for monks or just for nuns it's not a
spiritually just for priests there are
practical things which can be applied
and adapted to people who live normal
usual life
Ignatius assumes that the people are
good and so the choice and the exercises
is not between good and evil the choice
is between good and better that I think
is at the heart of the exercises
enthused with spiritual vigor Ignatius
hastened to spread his message to the
world now a claim that you are having
special spiritual experiences in 16th
century Spain is a little bit scary it's
potentially difficult because this is
the time of the Inquisition the church
is deeply worried about new currents of
thought coming in particularly ones
which are claiming that somehow the
church and all everything that it
involves might be suddenly secondary
ignitions is a little brush in the
Inquisition because he's teaching people
he's leading them through the Spiritual
Exercises but first of all he's not a
priest at this point and he hasn't had
any particular theological education so
the Inquisition wants to know I like
excuse me wait where does this come from
are you doing this by yourself what's
the connection with the local church
Ignatius boldly takes on the Inquisition
anyways when he explains what the
Spiritual Exercises are they allow him
to carry on but they advise him quite
quite strongly that he needs to get some
theological education and he does and
this is a man who's thirty military
commander and then he's to go back to
school he finds himself in school with
kids just trying to imagine what an act
of humility that is to find yourself in
school reduced to the level of a child
again and he studies first of all in
Alcala which is a you ancient university
just outside Madrid he wasn't there very
long in Arcola and he goes to be Prime
University which is the University of
Paris so he has to find his way and he
walks all away from Alcala to Paris
turns up in Paris the mule loaded with
books some money which a kind lady in
Barcelona has given him and it's not
very much and he sets himself to study
it's not an easy life so Ignatius in
Paris he has to follow the typical
course of studies which involves
philosophy in both Latin rhetoric
several different branches of classical
studies and he's put to room in a not
very nice place with two other people
who really don't want him there one of
them is a kind of pious little too
intense man called Peter favored from
Savoie
John the age of France and Italy and the
other one is a Vasc Francisco how yet
there's clearly something about Ignatius
personality which was deeply deeply
magnetic and unattractive over a period
of time Ignatius groups around him a
group of six friends six companions
these are men who are profoundly have
the same kind of understanding of life
the same concerns the thing things that
delight them and worry them and they
form an informal group but they decide
they actually want to stay together
what they are called to be what they
want to do they're not quite sure but
the idea is that they they want to be
together with Jesus some way
now that's and this proms later will
form the nucleus of what we now call the
Society of Jesus the Jesuits
in more Matra a church in Paris they
take vows vows of poverty chastity and
obedience and their desire is to remain
together they hope to go to the Holy
Land but if that is not gonna work out
then their intention is to go back to
Rome and to offer themselves to the Pope
for the service in whatever way he needs
them so it's not exactly clear what they
want to do they themselves don't have a
clear idea but they use this phrase
helping souls means helping people but
what they're proposing is a kind of a
new way of living within the church they
don't want to be monks they don't want
to live in a monastery they want to be
out in the world engaged with the world
they formed a group bound by their
intimate experience of the Living Christ
and these first Jesuits would withstand
the forces of time distance and
separation the Ignatius goes back to his
family in Spain and they go ahead of him
to Venice which is gonna be the port
where they intend to go to the to the
Holy Land from to await Ignatius
Ignatius joins him in Venice they're
there for a whole year they start
working and where they work is in
hospitals doing the most menial chores
they're also preaching publicly and
teaching catechism the kids but enough
is enough after your very practically
they decide okay well plan a hasn't
worked we have to do Plan B which is to
get their way to Rome on his way to Rome
Ignatius has a vision and which he sees
himself being placed with Jesus and he
Tirpitz it this is meaning things are
gonna go okay
what they want is permission from the
Pope Pope for the third to form this new
religious order clearly Ignatius is able
to explain himself and what he hopes to
do and what this new society is all
about and finally he gets the Pope's
permission the Society of Jesus is
established there are now nine people in
this fledgling Society of Jesus but what
they haven't yet worked out is how the
whole thing runs and in fact he's gonna
take Ignatius many years to work that
out but they recognize that there needs
to be some kind of structure and that
they naturally need a leader now clearly
the obvious leader is Ignatius since
he's the nucleus of it but he doesn't
want to do it but they insist and they
vote on it after having prayed
significantly and he accepts the voice
of the majority which he takes as being
the voice of God in some ways and that's
how he ends up as first General of the
Society of Jesus although he resisted a
leadership role Ignatius understood that
a society working across the globe
needed a general in addition to
overseeing daily operations from Rome
Ignatius wrote 800 personal letters to
his companions within ten years there
are a thousand members of this societies
it's a massive massive growth there's
something in in the society Jesus the
Ignatius is way of working that is
appealing to people of the time the
Jesuits cup fell into education by
mistake some ways in Spain people wanted
to join the Society of Jesus so they
needed training and they needed a study
and they needed to be in one place at
one time Ignatius started schools or
colleges in some ways for this be very
clearly education the style of education
that was very clear that this work this
was a good rounded human humanistic
humane education and other people wanted
to join and they were invited to open
schools
and that's how they got involved in
education
it was Ignatius as spirituality and
leadership that contributed to the
expansion of the society as Ignatius
grew older many feared that the loss of
his dynamic touch would be gone forever
and with it the energy that fed the
Society's growth Ignatius his health at
the end of his life in his 60s is pretty
bad
he had damaged his health seriously with
all those severe Aesthetica practices in
the cave of memory sir at the insistence
and he had to be persuaded really quite
heavily to do this the younger members
of society who have not been with him
right at the beginning wanted to know
the story of his life and so he had to
be cajoled endures and eventually over a
period of some 50 months he dictates his
life story at least the story from his
point of his conversion up to the
founding of the Society of Jesus its
Ignatius talking to somebody else and
it's in a way like he's turned on the
volume in his life he doesn't talk about
many things and he's constantly at pains
to show the contrast between the
Ignatius the ego that he was with the
Ignatius that he's actually become in a
way I think you get a clearer picture of
who Ignatius is when you read the
Spiritual Exercises
and who when you read the letters
because there you see this person this
powerful general in many ways who's not
this cold-blooded automaton that people
sometimes think of him is being a very
very warm-hearted much beloved person so
in ego becomes this beloved father
Ignatius the spiritual father of a
thousand sons by the end of his life
eventually as health gets the better of
him takes to his bed and dies surrounded
by those who love him by the members of
the Society of Jesus Ignatius once said
that if the Society of Jesus were ever
to come to an end it would take him
about 15 minutes to recover this is a
guy who'd spent his whole life post
conversion creating this this
organization Society of Jesus and to be
able to say I could just give it up like
that means that he has something which I
want to call internal freedom or
spiritual freedom and the idea about
this is that God is God for ignatius
nothing else substitutes for God so the
tendency that we might have to place all
I trust or faith or hope or our
affection in anything apart from God for
Ignatius means that we're not doing what
we call to be so for Ignatius the
Society of Jesus is very important but
it's not the most important thing they
she says give me your love and your
grace and everything else is secondary
to that
on the 12th of March 1622 the man who
was born in aristocrats Inigo Lopez
became st. ignatius loyola when he was
canonized by Pope Gregory the fifteen
his feast is celebrated on the 31st of
July the day he died
you
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