St. Ignatius of Loyola

Saint Ignatius of Loyola

Confessor

Ignatius was born to a Spanish noble family in the year of Our Lord 1491. He was a worldly and carefree young man, though not without certain virtues. He distinguished himself as a soldier, until his leg was broken by a cannonball, ending his military career and leaving him with a pronounced limp. As Ignatius recuperated in his father’s castle in Loyola, he was brought spiritual works to read instead of the adventure tales he requested. He was soon overcome with remorse for past sins. Encouraged by a brief vision of Our Lady, Ignatius took a vow of chastity, abandoned his sword and other possessions, and made a pilgrimage to Rome and the Holy Land, having also begun writing what would become his famed Spiritual Exercises. Upon his return, Ignatius embraced a vocation to the priesthood, and in the year of Our Lord 1534 he and a few companions, including St. Francis Xavier, founded the Society of Jesus, with Ignatius elected the first Superior General. Ignatius himself never used the word “Jesuit”, which was originally a term of mild mockery that the Society eventually claimed as their own. Ignatius died in Rome in the year of Our Lord 1556, and is hailed as a patron of soldiers and Catholic retreats.

Traditional Roman Martyrology for July 31st

AT Rome, the birthday [into heaven] of St. Ignatius, confessor, founder of the Society of Jesus, renowned for sanctity and miracles, and most zealous for propagating the Catholic religion in all parts of the world.

At Caesarea, the martyrdom of the blessed martyr Fabius. As he refused to carry the ensign of the governor of the province, he was thrown into prison for some days, and as he persisted twice in confessing Christ when brought before the judge, he was condemned to capital punishment.

At Milan, during the persecution of Antoninus, St. Calimerius, bishop and martyr, who was arrested, covered with wounds, and pierced through the neck with a sword. He terminated his martyrdom by being precipitated into a well.

At Synnada, in Phrygia, the holy martyrs Democritus, Secundus and Denis.

In Syria, three hundred and fifty monks, who became martyrs by being slain by the heretics for defending the Council of Chalcedon.

At Ravenna, the departure from this world of St. Germanus, bishop of Auxerre, a man most renowned for his birth, faith, learning, and glorious miracles, who freed England completely from the heretical doctrines of the Pelagians.

At Tagaste, in Africa, St. Firmus, bishop, illustrious by a glorious confession of the faith.

At Siena, in Tuscany, the birthday [into heaven] of blessed John Colombini, founder of the Order of the Jesuati, renowned for sanctity and miracles.

℣. And elsewhere many other holy martyrs, confessors, and holy virgins.

℟. Thanks be to God.