Faith Life

Biography of Saint Ignatius

Our Ignatian History Started with a Cannonball Moment...

Saint Ignatius of Loyola was born at his family's ancestral castle in Guipúzcoa, Spain. In his young years, Íñigo, as he was called, was known as a fancy dresser and an expert dancer.  He was also drawn to the military. His skill in diplomacy and his leadership qualities helped him make a name for himself. But during the Battle of Pamplona in 1521, Ignatius of Loyola was horribly injured when a cannonball shattered one of his legs. That CANNONBALL MOMENT, a moment that changed him for the better, was the beginning of his spiritual journey.  While he recovered, he read a book about the lives of Jesus and the saints. It compelled him to devote himself to a spiritual life. He entered a period of deep reflection, or discernment, during which he gave his time and thoughts to the following of Christ.

Timeline After Convalescence

  • 1522

    Ignatius of Loyola retires to a cave near Manresa and lives in austerity and prayer for ten months. This is where he develops the foundation for his Spiritual Exercises.

  • 1523

    Ignatius of Loyola makes a pilgrimage to the Holy Land.

  • 1524

    Ignatius of Loyola returns to Spain, and begins his education.

  • 1528

    The man who would become a saint, journeys to France to attend the University of Paris. This is where he forms a pious fraternity that evolves into the Society of Jesus, or the Jesuits.

  • 1537

    Members of the Society of Jesus go to Rome, where they receive the approval of Pope Paul III, who confirms their order.

  • 1541

    Ignatius of Loyola is elected the first general of the Society of Jesus. He is the chief administrator of the rapidly growing order, and he devotes his time to writing the Constitutions of the Order and to the completion of his Spiritual Exercises.

  • 1556

    Ignatius of Loyola dies in Rome.

  • 1622

    Ignatius of Loyola is canonized.
    His feast day is July 31.
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What are the Spiritual Excercises?

The work is a manual for meditation on the meaning of life and on the development of a way of life. The meditations are divided into four periods or weeks:

List of 4 items.

  • The reformation of a person affected by sin

  • The conformation of the reformed person to the model of Christ

  • The strengthening of the person so conformed through appreciation of the passion and death of Christ

  • The transformation of the whole person in identification with the risen and triumphant Savior

How Ignatius of Loyola Became a Saint: Pope Gregory XV canonized Ignatius of Loyola in 1622. He is venerated as the patron of retreats. His feast day is July 31, the day he died. 

Fact that Resonates Daily

The overarching Jesuit principle became Ad Majorem Dei Gloriam. The translation of the Latin phrase is "for the greater glory of God." The Latin acronym is A.M.D.G., which you see all around the Saint Ignatius College Prep campus.

Saint Ignatius College Prep

Saint Ignatius College Prep, a Jesuit Catholic school in the heart of Chicago, is a diverse community dedicated to educating young men and women for lives of faith, love, service and leadership.