Ignatius of Loyola
Spanish Catholic priest and theologian (1491–1556) / From Wikipedia, the free encyclopedia
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Ignatius of Loyola SJ (/ɪɡˈneɪʃəs/ ig-NAY-shəss; Basque: Ignazio Loiolakoa; Spanish: Ignacio de Loyola; Latin: Ignatius de Loyola; born Íñigo López de Oñaz y Loyola; c. 23 October 1491[3] – 31 July 1556), venerated as Saint Ignatius of Loyola, was a Spanish Catholic priest and theologian, who, with six companions, founded the religious order of the Society of Jesus (Jesuits), and became its first Superior General, in Paris in 1541.[4]
Ignatius of Loyola | |
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Priest, founder | |
Born | Iñigo López de Oñaz y Loyola (1491-10-23)23 October 1491 Azpeitia, Gipuzkoa, Crown of Castile |
Died | 31 July 1556(1556-07-31) (aged 64) Rome, Papal States |
Venerated in | |
Beatified | 27 July 1609, Rome, Papal States, by Pope Paul V |
Canonized | 12 March 1622, Rome, Papal States, by Pope Gregory XV |
Feast | 31 July |
Attributes |
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Patronage | Society of Jesus; soldiers; spiritual retreats; Biscay; Gipuzkoa;[2] Ateneo De Manila University; the Archdiocese of Baltimore, Maryland; the Diocese of Antwerp, Belgium; Belo Horizonte, Brazil; Junín, Buenos Aires, Argentina; Rome, Italy; accidents and injuries. |
Influences | |
Major works | Spiritual Exercises |
Signature | |
Ignatius envisioned the purpose of the Society of Jesus to be missionary work and teaching. In addition to the vows of chastity, obedience and poverty of other religious orders in the church, Loyola instituted a fourth vow for Jesuits of obedience to the Pope, to engage in projects ordained by the pontiff.[5] Jesuits were instrumental in leading the Counter-Reformation.[6]
As a former soldier, Ignatius paid particular attention to the spiritual formation of his recruits and recorded his method in the Spiritual Exercises (1548). In time, the method has become known as Ignatian spirituality. He was beatified in 1609 and was canonized as a saint on 12 March 1622. His feast day is celebrated on 31 July. He is the patron saint of the Basque provinces of Gipuzkoa and Biscay as well as of the Society of Jesus. He was declared the patron saint of all spiritual retreats by Pope Pius XI in 1922.