Sons and daughters of Ignatius

ST. IGNATIUS Loyola’s feast day is celebrated on July 31, the day he passed away in 1556. Inigo de Loyola, a Basque courtier and soldier, suffered serious injuries during the battle of Pamplona in 1521. While recovering from his wounds, he underwent a profound spiritual transformation that marked the beginning of his unwavering dedication to God and service.

Inigo Lopez de Loyola, the youngest among 13 siblings, was born in Espitia at the castle of Loyola in Spain to Don Boutran and Donna Marina.

Tragically, his mother passed away shortly after his birth, and he was raised by Maria de Garin, the wife of the local blacksmith.

As Inigo matured, he developed a strong fascination with military pursuits and an intense longing for glory.

He admired tales of valiant knights who achieved triumph over adversaries, gaining riches and love.

At the age of 17, he enlisted in the army, where he was known for his stylish attire, skillful dancing, womanizing tendencies, and ability to avoid punishment for violent acts committed with his priest brother during carnival time, using his privileged status.

After a year in the army, he served under the military leader Antonio Manrique. Inigo excelled in his military duties, fulfilling his lifelong dream and earning the title of “servant of the court.”

Over the next 12 years, he engaged in numerous battles, until his military career came to an abrupt halt at the Battle of Pamplona in May 1521.

During the battle, a cannonball struck a nearby wall, severely injuring Inigo’s right leg. He underwent multiple surgeries to repair the leg, but it left him with a permanent limp for the rest of his life.

This challenging period marked a profound transformation in Ignatius’s life.

Unable to access his beloved books on knights and romances during his recovery, he redirected his focus to religious literature, igniting a significant spiritual awakening.

Following his injury and spiritual transformation, Inigo went on to establish the Society of Jesus (Jesuits) and became renowned as St. Ignatius of Loyola. He emerged as a prominent figure in the Catholic Church, emphasizing spiritual exercises, education, and missionary work. His spiritual journey and teachings continue to inspire people worldwide. Within the traditional Christian context, devout believers endeavor to comprehend God’s purpose for their lives.

They diligently seek signs and guidance, and when clear indications are absent, they proceed to make decisions while seeking God’s blessing for the chosen path. St. Ignatius Loyola, drawing from his own personal experiences, devised a method of decision-making and discernment.

During his convalescence following a cannonball injury, he indulged in daydreams about his future and noticed distinct inner experiences.

He termed those experiences that brought joy to his heart and propelled him toward a particular direction as “consolation.”

Conversely, he labeled those inner experiences that left him feeling restless, empty, or dissatisfied as “desolation.”

Unable to access his beloved books on knights and romances during his recovery, he redirected his focus to religious literature, igniting a significant spiritual awakening

He recognized that consolation typically originated from the Spirit of God, touching his heart and thoughts, whereas desolation arose from what he perceived as the evil spirit, the adversary of human nature.

Empowered by this awareness of divine guidance, Ignatius crafted a set of guidelines for individuals seeking to discern God’s calling in their lives.

He referred to these guidelines as the “Rules for the Discernment of Spirits.”

These rules are intended for significant life decisions, such as choosing a life path, aligning with a suitable occupation that matches one’s gifts and talents, making career changes, deciding on family planning, purchasing a home, selecting a college for a child, or determining the best living arrangement for an aging parent.

These decisions involve evaluating competing