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saint ignatius
saint ignatius
1491 – The youngest of the House
Inigo Lopez de Loyola, the youngest of a noble family, was born in the Urola valley shortly before the discovery of America
1515 – Courtier and soldier
From 1506, he lived in Arevalo, in the household of the chief treasurer of Castile, where he trained for about eleven years as a courtier and learned the use of arms
1521 – Wounded
When France invaded Navarra in 1521, Inigo was in the service of the Viceroy of Navarra and participated in the defence of Pamplona. On May 20th, a cannon ball broke his legs and he was taken to Loyola to be operated on several times. He almost died
1521/1522 – Convalescence in Loyola
During the long and painful recovery, he decides to read the lives of Christ and the saints. His life takes a radical turn, he surrenders himself to God and decides to go on pilgrimage to Jerusalem
1522 – Pilgrim on the way
He leaves Loyola, passing through Aranzazu, where he made a vow of chastity, travelling to the Monastery of Montserrat. There he abandons his military clothes and begins to dress like a beggar
1523 – Manresa: in the school of God
He lives in Manresa for eleven months. After experiencing strong internal difficulties, he began to feel consoled by God and desired to live helping others
1523 – Jerusalem: in the land of Jesus
He travelled to Jerusalem living on alms with the dream of staying forever in the land of Jesus, but the authorities would not let him because of the dangerous situation there
1525 – Study to help souls
Back in Barcelona, he began studying for two years at a school for children. He continued in Alcala de Henares and later in Salamanca, but he encountered difficulties with the Inquisition. He decides to go to Paris alone and on foot
1528 – Paris: Friends in the Lord
In Paris, he focuses on completing his studies in humanities and theology. He lives with Francis Xavier and Peter Faber. Gradually, Diego Lainez, Alfonso Salmeron, Nicolas Bobadilla and Simon Rodrigues joined the group. Together they pronounced their vows in Montmartre in 1534
1535 – Azpeitia: prophet in his own country
Inigo's health was not good, and he returned to his native land for three months to recover. He preferred to live in the Magdalena Hospital close to the sick and poor, giving catechesis to children and reforming the morals of the local people
1537 – Italy: another Jerusalem
The group gathers in Venice with the intention of travelling to Jerusalem. As this was impossible, they offered themselves to the Pope to be sent to any mission. They receive priestly ordination, and establish themselves in Rome, calling themselves the "Society of Jesus". By now Inigo had changed his name to Ignatius because it was a more common name
1540 – Superior of the Society of Jesus
The Society of Jesus was approved by the Pope in 1540, and Ignatius was elected Superior. Until his death, he devoted himself to governing the Society, writing the Constitutions and numerous letters. He established educational institutions, went through the city giving the spiritual exercises and founding charities. He trained and sent jesuits to other countries in Europe, India and East Asia
1556 – Death of a man devoted to God
On 31st July 1556, Ignatius of Loyola died in his simple room in Rome. He lived seeking to know, feel and do God’s will. He was beatified in 1609 and canonized in 1622 together with his great friend Francis Xavier, Teresa of Jesus, Isidore the Farmer and Philip Neri
in short
in short
Inigo
Loyola is the birthplace of Inigo and also where as a wounded soldier he became a humble pilgrim in search of God
spirituality
In Loyola, we live and breathe the desire to seek and find God in all things, beginning with a personal and affective relationship with Jesus. This is the spiritual legacy of Inigo
welcome
The setting helps one to become a pilgrim, letting God receive and transform our own wounds, as happened to Inigo during his convalescence in what is now the Chapel of the Conversion
jesuits
Loyola is an important place for the Society of Jesus. In addition to the community serving the Sanctuary, Jesuits from all over the world come here to enrich their formation, to accompany groups or to make retreats
nature
The surroundings are unequalled: a dome in the middle of a green valley, surrounded by mountains and trails, on the banks of the Urola river, and with a spacious and quiet inner park
art
The Sanctuary of Loyola comprises a number of buildings constructed around the tower house of the Loyola family. The Sanctuary is a cultural treasure and a legacy of the Baroque era
history
After the death of Inigo, the practice spread of reliving his conversion where it happened. In 1681, the Society of Jesus became the owners of the property and began building the sanctuary. Since then the sanctuary has witnessed many different events
what to do
what to do
participate in the liturgy
The Eucharist is at the centre of life in the Sanctuary. Mass is celebrated every day in the Basilica and in the Chapel of the Conversion for casual visitors and organized groups
have a spiritual experience
The spiritual exercises are the core of ignatian spirituality; they can be made in a number of ways at the Retreat House
+ infostart the ignatian way
Inigo left Loyola after his conversion. Five centuries later we welcome new pilgrims who want to start a spiritual journey in his footsteps
+ infolearn about the Society of Jesus
In the library and archives, the Sanctuary houses books and documents of great value to an understanding of the complex history of the Society of Jesus
+ infoorganize activities at the youth hostel
The Hostel hosts pastoral, educational and leisure projects for children and young people. It is situated in a serene natural environment
+ infoenjoy the art of Gipuzkoa
The basilica, surmounted by a large dome, represents the height of baroque architecture in Gipuzkoa
+ infovisit other ignatian places
From the Sanctuary of Loyola we can follow in the footsteps of Inigo in the land of his birth. Visiting these places will take you to the heart of Basque Country and reveal its way of life
+ infoSee the Chapel of the Conversion live
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