Ignatius of Loyola (1491–1556)

Biography

Ignatius of Loyola was a Basque soldier whose ambitions changed after he was wounded in battle. During his long recovery, reading the lives of Christ and the saints awakened in him the desire to serve God. Through prayer and careful attention to the movements of his soul, he developed the Spiritual Exercises, a school of discernment and generous discipleship. After studies and ordination, he and his companions founded the Society of Jesus. Ignatius taught believers to seek and find God in all things and to direct every gift toward the greater glory of God and the service of souls.