Ignatius of Loyola
Credited with being the most influential force in the spread of the Catholic Church throughout the world is Ignatius of Loyola. The Society of Jesus, the Jesuits, remains as a strong influential part of the Catholic Church. Who was this man, what did he believe and how did he initiate this magnanimous work?Ignatius was born Iņigo Lopez de Loyola most likely in the year 1491. The precise date is difficult to pinpoint since the baptismal records for his parish in Azpeitia do not begin until the year 1537. Iņigo's parents, Don Beltran Yaņez de Oņez y Loyola and Marina Saenz de Lieona y Balda were landlords in Guipúzcoa in the mountain regions of Northern Spain near the French border. In this Basque region of Spain, the men were straightforward in manners and of charitable nature, tenacity and devotion to the Catholic faith. In 1506, Iņigo's parents sent him to the home of Juan Velazquez de Cuellar, the Chief Treasurer for King Ferdinand and Isabella for training as a page. Shortly after, Iņigo's father dies in 1507. It is here in the Spanish court that Iņigo discovers the popular culture of the day. The Spanish Renaissance is flourishing and music and chivalrous novels abound. He emulates what he sees and reads. He sees t
In 1534 Ignatius disciples six friends for a month each, James Lainez, Alphonsus Salmeron, Alfonso Rodriguez, Nicolas Bobadilla, Francis Xavier and Peter Faber. These became what Ignatius called the "friends of the Lord". On August 15, 1534, this band of companions went to Montmarte and bound themselves to vows of poverty, chastity and obedience. Although there was no intention to form a religious order yet, the journey that would lead these friends to form the Order of the Jesuits had begun. "Jesuit". Britannica.com [Internet]. Access April 9, 2001. Available http://www.britannica.com/eb/article?idxref=269798 Ryan, E. A., S. J. "Saint Ignatius of Loyola". Britannica.com, [Internet]. Accessed April 9, 2001. Available http://www.britannica.com/eb/article?eu=50361&tocid=0 The Spiritual Exercises was Ignatius' first, most recognized and important work. It was the foundation for his internal spiritual strength. It is a manual designed to provide direction for a spiritual mentor to assist a spiritual son or daughter. The individual should desire to discover how he could please and serve God through a retreat from ordinary life for thirty days alone with God. Five exercises logically build one on the other. The basic premise is to make oneself completely indifferent until a clear choice appears. Once faced with a decision, the expectant student receives one criterion for making that choice, "What would bring greater praise or glory to God?" "Imitation of Christ". Britannica.com [Internet]. Accessed April 9, 2001. Available http://www.britannica.com/eb/article?eu=43140&tocid=0 In March 1523, once he obtained papal permission, Iņigo set out to complete his journey to the Holy Land. Upon arrival, he asked permission to stay in Jerusalem but the provincial refused his request, as it was too dangerous with Jerusalem being in Turkish control. Iņigo only left on threat of excommunication.
Some common words found in the essay are:
Spanish Renaissance, God Five, Spiritual Exercises, Accessed April, Lord August, Paul III, Peter Spanish, God Christ, Society Jesus, Japan Brazil, spiritual exercises, 2001 available, april 9, april 9 2001, 9 2001 available, 9 2001, internet accessed april, accessed april, internet accessed, accessed april 9, society jesus, ignatius loyola, catholic church, britannicacom internet, vii internet accessed,
Approximate Word count = 3091
Approximate Pages = 12 (250 words per page double spaced)
|
