Who Is Saint Ignatius Of Loyola?

Do you ever dream of being a hero? Do you ever see yourself saving lives, leading nations, and or dieing for what is right/what you love. Well this saint did a fantastic job at it all. Saint Ignatius of Loyola was born on October 23, 1491 in Azpeitia, Spain. Saint Ignatius of Loyola was canonized by Pope Gregory XV on March 12, 1622. His feast day is celebrated on July 31. He was made the patron of retreats and soldiers. Saint Ignatius of Loyola was born into a noble family as the youngest son of 13 children. He was the youngest son born into a noble family of 13 children. He was baptized Íñigo, after St. Enecus (Innicus) a medieval Basque name arguably meaning "My little one". It is unclear when he started using Ignatius instead of his
baptismal name "Íñigo". Ignatius did not intend to change his name but rather adopted for France and Italy a name which he believed was a simple variant of his own, and which was more acceptable among foreigners. Saint Ignatius of Loyola was raised by María de Garín, the local blacksmith's wife, soon after his own mother died soon after his birth.Ignatius adopted the last name "de Loyola" in reference to the Basque village of Loyola where he was born.
As a young aristocrat Ignatius had a "love of martial exercises and a vainglorious desire for fame".At this period he framed his life around the stories of the adventures of El Cid, the knights of Camelot, and The Song of Roland (the tale has Roland slain by Muslims, when historically his death were at the hands of Basques like Ignatius).
Joining the army at seventeen, he strutted about "with his cape slinging open to reveal his tight-fitting hose and boots; a sword and dagger at his waist". Upon encountering a Moor who denied the divinity of Jesus, he challenged him to a duel to the death and ran him through. He dueled others until the events of 1521. At the age of 30 he was severely injured in a
battle.
The most important accomplishments are -once in Rome, he and his companions started the Society of Jesus, an Order that was under direct service to Pope. Members, called Jesuits, traveled wherever their help was needed, and Ignatius was eventually elected its first Superior.
When their religious order was formally constituted in 1540, the Pope began to depend on the Jesuits for important missions throughout the world.
The Jesuits opened schools all over Europe and across the seas to meet the dire need for an educated clergy and faithful. Ignatius and his Jesuits chose as their motto "Ad Majorem Dei Gloriam," a Latin phrase that means "for the greater glory of God." This would be the standard for all of their missions. The effects on other people are strongly grateful and happy because whenever they need someone to help them they can always depend on the Jesuits.
Ignatius has to this day a powerful and respectable legacy. Of the institutions dedicated to Saint Ignatius, one of the most famous is the Basilica of St Ignatius Loyola, built next to the house where he was born in Azpeitia, the Basque Country, Spain. The house itself, now a museum, is incorporated into the basilica complex. In addition, he has had a global impact, having been the influence behind numerous Jesuit Schools and educational institutions worldwide.In 1949 he was the subject of a Spanish biographical film The Captain from Loyola in which he was played by Rafael
Durán.
During his period of recovering in 1521, Ignatius read a series of religious texts on the life of Jesus and on the lives of the saints; he became fired with an ambition to lead a life of self-denying labour and to emulate the heroic deeds of Francis of Assisi and other great monastics. He resolved to devote himself to the conversion of non-Christians in the Holy Land. Upon his recovery, he visited the Benedictine monastery, Santa Maria de Montserrat (March 25, 1522), where he hung his military garments before an image of the Virgin. He then traveled on foot to the town of Manresa (Catalonia) and spent several months in a cave nearby where he practiced rigorous asceticism. Ignatius also began experiencing a series of visions in full daylight while in hospital.
I admire this saint because he was strong and brave enough to change and make a difference. He is my role model and I will remember to be the person to be strong, have courage, and be brave enough to make changes that can actually make a difference in other people's life.
Three lessons I have learned from this saint’s life are- 1) I have learned that Saint Ignatius of Loyola was the youngest of 13 children. 2) I have learned that Saint Ignatius of Loyola was a soldier in battle for several years and wounded at the age of 30. 3) I learned that he help founded the Society of Jesus.