July 31st - St. Ignatius of Loyola By: Joseph Mattathil

St. Ignatius grew up in the village of Loyola and his mother died when he was young. He had dreams of becoming a great and well known leader for his people. When he was eighteen, he joined the Spanish military in wars against the French. Still wanting to be well known, he started to call himself Ignatius. In one battle he got hit by a cannonball, and doctors performed many surgeries to save his life. As he recovered, he read all the books he could about Jesus and all the saints. Ignatius then sought to complete his education. While he was studying in Paris he met Peter Faber and Francis Xavier. They became friends and soon, as more people joined the group they called themselves the ‘Friends in the Lord’. They decided to go to Rome where Pope Paul III made them an official religious order called the Society of Jesus or the Jesuits. Ignatius was made their leader, and he put a strict rule on the order. The Jesuits created 35 schools and had 1,000 members before Ignatius died. The Jesuits are known for educating the youth worldwide. Ignatius died on July 31, 1556, was beatified on July 27, 1609 and canonized on March 12, 1622. His feast day is on July 31. He is the patron saint of soldiers, educators, education and the Jesuits.

INTERCESSORY PRAYER
St. Ignatius of Loyola you started the Jesuits who educated people worldwide. Help us educate ourselves in the ways of kindness and wisdom. We ask this through Christ our Lord. Amen