Lucet et Ardet

It shines to enkindle

ST IGNATIUS OF LOYOLA

In our daily lives, we see people whose dreams and desires get shattered after unfortunate happenings and their lives follow a downward spiral. But, there are a few outstanding and rare individuals who overcome ill-fated moments and make them auspicious stepping stones of life transformation for oneself and inspiration for the others. One such person is St Ignatius of Loyola - a saint of the 16th century. St Ignatius Loyola was born in 1491, in a family of nobility in northern Spain. As a young man Ignatius of Loyola was inflamed by the ideals of courtly love and knighthood and dreamed of doing great deeds as a soldier, enchanter and lover. But in 1521 Ignatius was gravely wounded in a battle with the French. He was hit by the cannonball which shattered his right leg. While recuperating, Ignatius Loyola experienced a spiritual conversion – a conversion which transformed and reformed him from being a soldier to a spiritual seeker and pilgrim. Seeking God, eventually lent himself to serve people, and in 1540 he founded the Society of Jesus (Jesuits) with a few companions.