Walking with the Saints Podcast | Feast of St. Ignatius of Loyola, Patron Saint of all Spiritual Retreats, Students and Military Men | July 31

Walking with the Saints Podcast | Feast of St. Ignatius of Loyola, Patron Saint of all Spiritual Retreats, Students and Military Men | July 31 Ad majorem Dei gloriam” (For the greater glory of God.) Thus goes the overwhelming principle of the Company of Jesus. I am sure you know that the Company of Jesus are the Jesuits or the Society of Jesus, who through their powerful channels for education, ideals and inspiration are famous throughout the world. Our saint today, St. Ignatius of Loyola, was the Founder of the Jesuit Order. Ignatius or Inigo was born on October 23, 1491 to an illustrious family in Spain. At a very early age, he served as a royal page in the court of Spain. He was rather a worldly teenager, ambitious, romantic, and chivalrous. Bored with court life, he went to his relative, the Duke of Najera, to become a soldier. He was engaged in minor battles but when he fought in Pamplona, he was wounded on the leg. He underwent several surgeries but in the end the broken leg left him lame and limping all his life. During his long convalescence, he was given two books to read: The Life of Christ and Flowers of the Saints. These books led to his conversion and inspired him to imitate the saints and become a knight of Christ. On the Eve of the feast of the Annunciation, Ignatius, dressed as a beggar, entered the church of Our Lady of Montserrat, hung up his sword and dagger at the foot of Our Lady’s statue and vowed to observe chastity in her honor. He spent the night in prayer and in the morning went to Manresa for a retreat. Then he made his general confession to a Benedictine monk. He stayed for some time in a cave of Manresa and God communicated to him choicest gifts, and kindled in his heart a spiritual fire for sanctity and for the salvation of souls. It was here where he wrote The Spiritual Exercises, a set of meditations, contemplation and prayers to help those making retreats. In 1524, at the age of thirty-three knowing that more education was necessary for his new life and work, he began to study. He went to different colleges in Spain and in France and at the age of forty-four, obtained his Master’s degree. In Paris, he met Francis Xavier, James Lainez, Peter Fabre, Simon Rodriguez and others who later helped him to establish the Jesuit Order. On August 15, 1534, he and six companions took the vows of chastity and poverty. In the spring of 1537 they had an interview with Pope Paul III who blessed them and had them ordained. On Christmas night in 1538, Ignatius and his companions said the first Mass in the subterranean chapel of St. Mary Major in Rome. The “Company of Jesus” was officially recognized on September 27, 1540 with Ignatius as the first superior general. For eighteen years he labored tirelessly and twice asked to resign from the generalship of the Order but his members refused. Early in 1556, Ignatius fell ill, exhausted through years of intense apostolate, and penance. He had high fever and died unexpectedly on July 31. As he lay dying, he was heard saying: “Jesus, Jesus.” He was sixty-five years old. Ignatius was beatified on July 27, 1609 by Pope Paul V and canonized on March 12, 1622 by Pope Gregory XV. He is the patron saint of all spiritual retreats, of students, and of military men. Virtues: obedience to Christ, poverty, generous service Let us pray with St. Ignatius: "Take, Lord, receive all my liberty, my memory, my understanding, my whole will, all that I have and all that I possess. You gave it all to me, Lord; I give it all back to you. Do with it as you will, according to your good pleasure. Give me your love and your grace; for with this I have all that I need." · Reflection: Do I obey the Commandments for the greater glory of God and my sanctification?