The Life Of Saint Ignatius Of Loyola

Summary

The video recounts the life of Ignatius of Loyola, born into a noble family in Spain. After a military career cut short by a severe injury in 1521, Ignatius experienced a spiritual transformation. Influenced by religious texts, he turned away from his ambitions of fame and fortune, dedicating himself to a life of prayer and penance. He later founded the Society of Jesus (Jesuits) with two friends, focusing on education, self-denial, and obedience to the Church. Ignatius' life journey shifted from worldly desires to deep devotion to God, leaving a lasting legacy.

Takeaways

• 👶 Inigo Lopez de Loyola was born in a small town called Espitia, in the castle of Loyola, Spain, as the youngest of 13 children.
• 😢 His mother died shortly after his birth, and he was raised by Maria de Garin, the local blacksmith's wife.
• ⚔️ Inigo developed a strong interest in military exercises and joined the army at the age of 17, seeking fame and heroism.
• 💃 He was known for being a fancy dresser, expert dancer, and a womanizer, with a reputation for violence, often escaping prosecution.
• 💥 In 1521, during the Battle of Pamplona, he was severely injured by a cannonball, resulting in a limp for the rest of his life.
• 📚 During his recovery, he read religious texts which shifted his focus from military glory to spiritual transformation and devotion.
• 🙏 He gave away his wealth, embraced a life of prayer, penance, and began developing his spiritual exercises.
• 🎓 After years of study, he earned his degree from the University of Paris and formed close friendships with Francis Xavier and Peter Faber.
• ⛪ In 1539, Ignatius founded the Society of Jesus (Jesuits), approved by Pope Paul III, which spread across Europe through schools and missions.
• 🕊️ Ignatius died on July 31, 1556, after dedicating his life to self-denial, obedience, and service to God rather than his own desires.

Q & A

Who were Ignatius of Loyola's parents, and where was he born?

Ignatius of Loyola, originally named Inigo Lopez de Loyola, was born in the town of Espitia at the Castle of Loyola in Spain. His parents were Don Boutran and Donna Marina, and he was the youngest of 13 children.

Who raised Ignatius after the death of his mother?

After his mother Donna Marina passed away shortly after his birth, Ignatius was raised by Maria de Garin, the wife of a local blacksmith.

What was young Ignatius interested in, and how did it shape his early life?

As a young boy, Ignatius was interested in military exercises and was driven by a desire for fame. This ambition led him to read stories of heroic knights and later to join the army at the age of 17.

How was Ignatius described by one writer during his time as a soldier?

Ignatius was described as a fancy dresser, expert dancer, womanizer, sensitive to insults, and a rough swordsman. He used his privileged status to escape prosecution for violent crimes committed with his brother during carnival time.

What significant event changed Ignatius’s military career in 1521?

In May 1521, Ignatius was severely injured during the Battle of Pamplona when a cannonball shattered his right leg. He underwent multiple surgeries, which left him with a permanent limp.

How did Ignatius’s injury lead to his spiritual transformation?

During his recovery, Ignatius had no romantic or knightly books to read and turned to religious texts about the lives of Jesus and the saints. This led him to shift his focus from fame and romance to a life of prayer, meditation, and penance.

What actions did Ignatius take to demonstrate his newfound spiritual commitment?

After his recovery, Ignatius confessed his sins, gave away his luxurious clothes to the poor, wore sackcloth, and left his sword and dagger at the altar of the Virgin Mary. He also began a life of prayer and penance, spending hours in prayer and developing his spiritual exercises.

How did Ignatius's studies influence his mission, and who were his close associates?

Ignatius studied at the University of Paris, where he gained his magisterium at age 43. There, he met Francis Xavier and Peter Faber, two students who would become his close associates in founding the Jesuit order.

What was the Jesuit order's mission, and what was its motto?

The Jesuit order, officially called the Society of Jesus, was founded in 1539 and approved by Pope Paul III in 1540. Its mission was to create schools, colleges, and seminaries across Europe. The order stressed absolute self-denial and obedience to the Pope, summarized in the motto 'Parende Akh Ka Diviya,' meaning 'as if a dead body.'

How did Ignatius of Loyola's life come to an end, and what was his legacy?

Ignatius of Loyola passed away on July 31, 1556, likely from Roman fever. His legacy is that of a man who transformed from seeking personal fame and fortune to dedicating his life to God, founding the Jesuit order, and leaving a lasting impact on education and the Catholic Church.