The Early Life of Ignatius of Loyola
Ignatius of Loyola was born in 1491 into a noble Basque family in the castle of Loyola, in the Kingdom of Castile (modern-day Spain). Originally named Íñigo López de Loyola, he grew up as a courtier and soldier, ambitious and driven by dreams of chivalric glory. His early life was marked by a love for military adventure, courtly romances, and worldly honor — not unlike the knights of the late medieval period.
However, everything changed in 1521, when he was seriously injured during the Battle of Pamplona. A cannonball shattered his leg, ending his military career. During his painful and lengthy recovery, Ignatius turned to spiritual reading for comfort. The only books available were religious texts, including The Life of Christ and Lives of the Saints. These readings ignited a transformation in his heart and mind. Instead of knights and battles, he began to dream of becoming a soldier for Christ. shutdown123