CATHOLIC FAITH St. Ignatius of Loyola was remember yesterday on his death anniversary. Born in Guipuzoca in northern Spain in 1491, St. Ignatius of Loyola was the youngest of the 13 children of Don Beltran Yanez de Onez z Loyola and Marina Saenz de Lieona y Bald. His original name was Inigo Lopex de Loyola. Although he believed in the Catholic faith, Inigo was easily tempted with an addiction to gambling and other vices at the age of 16. He had a great desire to win fame. When he became a soldier, he distinguished himself by his chivalry, courage, and determination. In 1521, while defending the town of Pamplona from invading French troops, Inigo was struck by a cannon ball which wounded his left leg and shattering his right leg. While recuperating, he asked for some books to read. There being no other books available, he was given two books: The Life of Christ and the Flowers of the Saints. The reading of these books inspired him to become a knight of Christ and to follow in the footsteps of the saints. In 1522, he went to the Church of Our Lady of Montserrat, where he confessed his sins and was granted absolution. From there, he went to Manresa where he lived in a cave on the bank of a river. He spent his time in fasting, praying, and helping the poor and the sick. After a year, he set out for the Holy Land. Prevented from entering Palestine, he returned with the decision to secure an education. Inigo studied Latin at Barcelona and Arts and Philosophy at Alcala. He was suspected to be a heretic and was placed under interrogation and arrest. He was prevented from discussing matters of faith and was instructed to dress up as a normal student. He continued his studies in Salamanca and once more put into inquisition and was put into prison for 22 days. He studied humanities, arts, philosophy, and theology in Paris. In 1532, he received his degree in Arts, and in 1533, his Licentiate in Arts, and in 1534, his Master’s. Together with his roommates and other companions, he vowed to poverty and implicit chastity. After his ordination as a priest, adopting the name Ignatius, he founded the Society of Jesus or the Jesuits which gained the approval of Pope Paul III in 1540. In 1541, he was elected as the First Superior General of the Order. Ignatius was the champion of human freedom and human will in the great interest of human salvation. The work of the congregation was devoted to teaching in schools, preaching, conducting retreats, and doing missionary work. His book, Spiritual Exercises contained the spirituality he proposed for himself and all his followers. Ignatius suffered intensely of gallstones which escalated into a condition leading to a sudden but peaceful death on July 31, 1556. He was buried at the Gesu in Rome. He was beatified on July 27, 1609, and canonized on March 12, 1622. Today Jesuits are found in every continent carrying the desire of their founder to be men of God through active and total service for others.