Who Was Inigo Lopez?

Hello, my name is Inigo Lopez.  I was . . .

Born in 1491 in the Loyola Castle in the Basque region of Spain. 

Became a soldier and was wounded in battle when a canon ball hit his leg.

While convalescing in a hospital, read a book about the life of Christ and a book about the saints.

Made a pilgrimage to St. Mary’s Shrine at Montserrat near Barcelona.

Changed his name to Ignatius.

Spent a long time living as a hermit.

Studied philosophy at several colleges.

Wrote down material that later became his greatest work, the Spiritual Exercises.

Made a pilgrimage to the Holy Land but left early because of hostility of Muslim Turks.

With his friend, Francis Xavier, formed a group that took vows of poverty, chastity, and obedience to the pope with the aim of evangelization.

Named this group The Society of Jesus or Jesuits which was sanctioned by the pope in 1540.

Dedicated to countering the heresies of Martin Luther which started in 1517 in Germany.

Advocated moderation and charity when trying to convince Protestants of their errors.

Worked to reform the church while setting up a Jesuit college in Rome.

Created the Jesuit motto, ad majorem Dei gloriam—“for the greater glory of God.”

Sent forth missionaries to the new lands of America that Columbus had discovered the year after Ignatius was born.

Died in Rome in 1556. 

Patron saint of soldiers and Jesuits.

Feast Day is July 31.

Prayer of St. Ignatius

“Receive, Lord, all my liberty, my memory, my understanding and my whole will.

You have given me all that I have, all that I am, and I surrender all to your divine will, that you dispose of me.

Give me only your love and your grace. With this I am rich enough, and I have no more to ask.”