Saint Ignatius of Loyola was a Spanish Priest, theologian, and founder of the Society of Jesus, better known as the Jesuits. He was a very influential person in his time; from important writings and teaching to his order, which has grown to be the largest Catholic order in the world.

Saint Ignatius of Loyola is also very important to us at Discover the Saints, because of his journey to Sainthood through reading about the lives of the Saints and Jesus.

Life and Conversion

Born into a noble Basque family, Ignatius born Inigio was originally not the man he is remembered as later in his life. Inigio was a young man who desired glory and leadership. He was influenced by worldly war stories and wanted to be a great military leader, so he pursued a military career. He changed his name to Ignatius during this time. While Ignatius was born Catholic and was a practicing Catholic his entire life, his life was focused on worldly ambitions at a young age.

Ignatius was a great soldier and fought in many battles. However, His life took a dramatic turn in 1521 when he was severely injured by a cannonball during the Battle of Pamplona. He broke both his legs and had a part of one leg amputated.

While recovering, he was essentially bedridden for about a year. The house he was recovering in was very religious and contained many Catholic books about the life of Christ and stories of the Saints. While he initially rejected these books, wanting instead books about war stories, Ignatius eventually decided to read these Catholic books. The stories of Jesus and the Saints deeply moved him and led to a profound spiritual conversion.

These books allowed Ignatius to discover that his fiery ambitions in his life were pointed toward the wrong things, and he realized his desire to become a servant of Christ.

After his recovery, Ignatius renounced his former life and embarked on a pilgrimage, seeking spiritual growth through prayer, fasting, and penance. He spent nearly a year in the town of Manresa, working around a hospital and begging for food. He spent lots of time in prayer in a cave where he experienced religious visions and began drafting what would become his seminal work, the Spiritual Exercises—a structured program of meditation, self-examination, and prayer aimed at deepening one’s relationship with God.

Pursuit of Education

Flooded with desire to convert non-believers, Ignatius traveled to many different places trying to do so. However, he realized he needed real education on theology in order to correctly teach without heresy.

He eventually decided to pursue formal education to better serve others and studied at several universities, ultimately earning a master’s degree in Paris.

While in Paris, Ignatius lived with two men who were also Saints, Francis Xavier and Peter Faber. Together, they took vows of poverty and chastity and offered themselves to the Pope for missionary work. In 1540, Pope Paul III approved their new religious order, the Society of Jesus. As the order's first Superior General, Ignatius emphasized education, discipline, missionary zeal, and absolute obedience to the papacy. Under his leadership, the Jesuits became central to the Catholic Counter-Reformation, opening schools and universities, sending missionaries across the globe, and promoting rigorous spiritual formation. The Jesuits would quickly grow into the largest Catholic order in the world

Ignatius died in Rome in 1556 and was canonized in 1622.

Miracles and Legacy

Although Saint Ignatius is not widely known for performing dramatic miracles during his lifetime, he is credited with several spiritual and healing interventions, including exorcisms, both during and after his life. Devotees have reported answered prayers through his intercession, and his spiritual legacy—particularly the Spiritual Exercises—is often seen as miraculous in its transformative effect on individuals. He is particularly important when it comes to discernment, making big decisions, and submitting to God’s will in your life.

Saint Ignatius’s legacy is vast. The Jesuits continue to be a major force in global Catholic education and missionary work. Their schools and universities, such as Georgetown, Boston College, and Loyola University, have educated generations of leaders. His Spiritual Exercises are still widely used for retreats and personal discernment. Ignatius remains a model of conversion, discernment, and purposeful action in service of faith, and is the patron saint of soldiers, spiritual retreats, educators, and the Society of Jesus, decision making, and more. His motto, Ad Majorem Dei Gloriam (“For the Greater Glory of God”), continues to guide Jesuit institutions and inspire Christians around the world.

Saint Ignatius of Loyola’s story, going from a worldly glory seeking person to a passionate Saint is truly inspiring. His dramatic conversion after being wounded in battle is particularly important, as God essentially forced him to discover Jesus and the Saints. His desire to become educated in order to convert non-believers shows a deep reverence for the Church and the truth. Ignatius of Loyola serves as an inspiration to people all around the world.