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Ignatius was born at the castle of Loyola, near Azpeitia , 16 miles southwest of San Sebastián in the Basque province of Guipúzcoa, Spain. The youngest of 13 children, Ignatius's mother died when he was only seven years old. In 1506, Ignatius became a page in the service of a relative, Juan Velázquez de Cuéllar, treasurer (contador mayor) of the kingdom of CastileA former kingdom of Spain, Castile comprises the two regions of Old Castile in north-western Spain, and New Castile in the centre of the country. Previously an eastern county of the kingdom of Leon, Castile in the 11th century became an independent realm. As a courtierCourtiers follow an ancient profession. Once part of a ruling household, they became confounded with then separate from the administrative staff of government as power gravitated from individuals to republican-style assemblies, but remain today as the per, he led a dissipated life.
In 1517, Ignatius took service in the army. Severely wounded at the Battle of PampelunaThe Battle of Pampeluna (also spelled Pamplona) occurred during the war between Spain and France, in which France took possession of Pampeluna ( 1521), but was later defeated and expelled ( 1522) from Milan. Also See Battle of Nevarre Battle of Fontarabia ( May 20May 20 is the 140th day of the year in the Gregorian Calendar (141st in leap years). There are 225 days remaining. Events 325 The First Council of Nicaea is held; the first Ecumenical Council of the Christian Church. 526 An Earthquake kills about 300,000, 1521Events January 3 Pope Leo X excommunicates Martin Luther. January 28 Diet of Worms begins, lasting until May 25. March 6 Ferdinand Magellan discovers Guam. March 16 Ferdinand Magellan reaches the Philippines. April 7 Ferdinand Magellan arrives at Cebu.); he spent months as an invalid in his father's castle.
During this period of recuperation he came to read a number of religious texts on the life of Jesus Christ and the saintIn general, the term saint is used to refer to someone thought to be especially virtuous and holy. This person may or may not be canonized, recognized or venerated by a religion. The word "saint" comes from the Latin word sanctus which means "holy. Various. He became fired with an ambition to lead a life of self-denying labor and to emulate the heroic deeds of Francis of AssisiSaint Francis of Assisi (born in Assisi, Italy, ca. 1182; died there on October 3, 1226) founded the Franciscan Order or "Friars Minor". He is the patron saint of animals and the environment. Boyhood and early manhood Born Giovanni Bernardone commonly kno and other great monastic leaders. He resolved to devote himself to the conversion of infidels in the Holy Land.
During this time he drafted his Ejercicios espirituales (Spiritual Exercises), which describes a series of meditations to be undertaken by future Jesuits. These were to exert a strong influence in changing the methods of propaganda in the Church; "the mill into which all Jesuits are cast; they emerge with characters and talents diverse; but the imprint remains ineffaceable" (Cretineau-Joly).
On recovering he visited the Dominican monastery of Montserrat ( March 25, 1522), where he hung his military accouterments before an image of the Virgin. He soon entered the monastery of Manresa , Catalonia where he practised the most rigorous asceticism.
He is said to have had visions. The Virgin became the object of his chivalrous devotion . Military imagery played a prominent part in his religious contemplations.