If you want to be a saint, long-suffering should be your middle name.
Ignatius
Ignatius loved his life. He was part of the royal army of Spain. He loved chivalrous challenges until they came to an end. In a battle near Pamplona his army was outnumbered, but Ignatius was not ready to give up. He talked his military superior into finishing the fight. Things did not go well for him; a cannonball hit both his legs with one leg completely broken. This was the start of his spiritual journey.
The Convalescing Soldier
Saint Ignatius struggled during his convalescence. He wanted to read books about chivalrous romances but the only books available were on The Life of Christ and saints. With his new-found love for God, he decided to forsake his worldly ambitions. Ignatius’ conscience-stricken mind brought a great desire for him to do penance in Jerusalem. He would spend years planning the trip to the Holy Land, but God had other plans.
The Jesuits
Our Lord knew the value of this man and that he would be chosen to organize a new order for the Catholic church. In 1541, the Jesuits (Society of Jesus) was formed. They became great agents for a Catholic revival in a troubled time.
The Calling
When the Lord calls, sometimes He needs to break your leg to get your attention. This is exactly what happen to Saint Ignatius. He was first, a soldier for Spain, a womanizer and a worldly man. In the battle of Pamplona against the French, his leg was so badly broken that it needed to be broken again and reset. But this only made matters worse because the bone on his broken leg protruded so much that it made him conscious of his appearance.
Moreover, during this era, men wore tights so this did not work well for him. Ignatius decided that his leg had to be broken again to correct the anomaly. There was no anesthesia available, but he wanted this problem corrected. He had a clear understanding of physical pain.
Ignatius was a well -trained soldier, but this, too, was ordained by God. With this training he was able to form The Society of Jesus by using his experience as a soldier. When you are under the command of a general, following orders will save your life.
Another great attribute of Ignatius’ life is the fact that he returned to school. This was not a university but a school where his classmates’ ages ranged from eight to fourteen years old. Saint Ignatius continued his education at College Sainte-Barbe, a university in Paris.
The Confessions
As with all saints, Ignatius suffered much from his past sins. In his confessions he was tormented by the sins of his youth. This torment at times brought him suicidal thoughts until one day his confessor suggested that he not include his past sins. This freed him of much guilt.
St. Ignatius’ Apparitions
Throughout his spiritual life he experienced many apparitions. Many times these apparitions of Christ appeared to him to console him and bring him comfort. This saint depended on the help of others, many times begging for alms. In Venice he was sustained by begging and sleeping on the steps of St. Mark’s. I have visited St. Mark’s square and never knew this great saint slept on the steps of this Cathedral!
The Enlightenment
Once when he was going to pray in a small church outside of Manresa, he sat along the river and experienced a great enlightenment. While he was facing the river, his eyes of understanding began to open; he did not see a vision, but he understood and and knew many things. These matters were spiritual, increasing his faith and learning. This enlightenment was so great that everything seemed new to him.
Jerusalem
I cannot forget to mention that this great saint did make it to Jerusalem. Despite many obstacles thrown his way, the Lord gave him the desire of his heart to visit the Holy Land
In 1523 he boarded the pilgrim ship. The only thing he brought with him was hope. His intentions were to remain in Jerusalem, continually visiting the holy places. As much as he wanted to stay, his provincial informed Ignatius that it was too dangerous for him to remain in Jerusalem.
Jesus’ Footprints
Ignatius, before leaving the Holy Land, had a strong desire to revisit the Mount of Olives where our Lord left His footprints before ascending to heaven. (Acts 1:9-12)
In my 20 years of travel to the Holy Land I have never missed visiting the Chapel of the Ascension. For one we always stayed in the hotel called the Mount of Olives, and many times we would walk to visit this holy sight. Also in the vicinity is the Church of Pater Noster, where our Lord taught his disciples the Our Father Prayer.
Ignatius’ Roommates
Imagine having Francis Xavier and Peter Faber as roommates! Yes, these three saints lived as roommates! They were among the founding members of the Society of Jesus. Saint Peter Faber came from Haute-Savoie, a region of southeastern France, in the French Alps where Mont Blanc is located. Saint Francis Xavier came from a castle in Navarre, Spain. On August 15, 1534, Saint Ignatius, Saint Faber, Saint Xavier along with Diego Lainez, Alonso Salmeron, Nicolas Bobadilla, and Simao Rodrigues made their Jesuits vows together
in Paris.
Education
Of all Catholic orders, the Jesuits are recognized as having the longest and most intensive education. These years of studies could range from 8 years up to 17-20 years. Loyola University Chicago, Loyola University New Orleans, and Loyola Marymount University in Los Angeles are just a few of the colleges and universities named after this great saint.
There is a reason why we Catholics honor and ask for the intercession of our saints. If you were a college student you should ask St. Ignatius of Loyola to intercede on your behalf.
In this writing I have omitted so many more important facts of this wonderful saint. All that I can express is that we need role models like Saint Ignatius to help us in this crazy world.
My Prayer
Dear Lord, May You give us interior visions like Saint Ignatius . Enlighten our spirits to see the world through Your eyes. Open our spiritual eyes. Amen.
