St Ignatius

The Autobiography of St. Ignatius (Illustrated Edition) (Dodo Press) St Ignatius Illustrated, Ill edition

Ignatius of Loyola, also known as Íñigo Oñaz López de Loyola (1491-1556), was the principal founder and first Superior General of the Society of Jesus. Ignatius has been described by Pope Benedict XVI as being above all a man of God, who gave the first place of his life to God and a man of profound prayer. He was very active in fighting the Protestant Reformation and promoting the subsequent Counter-Reformation. In 1509, Íñigo took up arms for Antonio Manrique de Lara, Duke of Nájera and Viceroy of Navarre. According to Thomas Rochford, S. J., his diplomacy and leadership qualities made him a gentilhombre very useful to the Duke. During this time he read the De Vita Christi by Ludolph of Saxony in a Catalan edition. This work arguably influenced the whole life of Saint Ignatius. He wrote Spiritual Exercises from 1522-1524. During 1553-1555 Ignatius dictated his life's story to his secretary, Father Gonçalves da Câmara. This autobiography is a valuable key for the understanding of his Spiritual Exercises. He is the patron saint of Guipuscoa & Biscay, the Society of Jesus, among other things.