July 31, 2023, Memorial Day of St. Ignatius of Loyola, Holy Rosary (Joyful Mysteries) [Updated]

Friends of the Rosary: Today, July 31st, is the Memorial of St. Ignatius of Loyola (1491-1556), the founder of the Jesuits, the Society of Jesus, and the writer of the book The Spiritual Exercises. In the year 1521, a cannon ball fractured the left leg of Captain Ignatius Loyola, While he was convalescing, Ignatius read about Christ and His saints and turned wholly to God. To equip himself for Christ's service, he acquired a classical and theological education. At Paris he was joined by nine companions from that University, men of different nations, who had taken their degrees in Arts and Theology; and there at Montmartre, he laid the first foundations of the Jesuit order. Ignatius sent St. Francis Xavier to preach the Gospel in the Indies and dispersed others to spread the Christian faith in other parts of the world, thus declaring war against paganism, superstition, and heresy. The Jesuits became the shock troops of the Church in the battle against the spread of Protestantism in Europe, as well as one of the greatest foreign mission organizations that the world has known. St. Ignatius entered Heaven on July 31, 1556. Ad Maiorem Dei Gloriam! (To the greater glory of God) Ave Maria!Jesus, I Trust In You!St. Ignatius of Loyola Pray for Us! To Jesus through Mary! + Mikel A. | RosaryNetwork.com, New York • ⁠July 31, 2023, Today’s Rosary on YouTube | Daily broadcast at 7:30 pm ET