The Autobiography of St. IgnatiusIgnatius, of Loyola, Saint
Religion
The Autobiography of St. Ignatius
Ignatius, of Loyola, Saint
Christian saints -- Spain -- Biography; Ignatius, of Loyola, Saint, 1491-1556
While being conducted through the different streets, it occurred to
him that it would be well to depart somewhat from his ordinary custom,
and to show greater respect to the commander of the place. Such a
thought was by no means the outcome of the fear of any punishment
which they might inflict. He felt, however, that this was a
temptation; he said, "In that case I'll neither address him as a
person of dignity, nor bend the knee as a mark of respect, nor even
remove my hat in his presence."
Having reached the residence of the commander, he was made to wait
some time in the courtyard before being summoned into his presence.
Then, without manifesting the slightest degree of civility, he so
paused after each word he spoke as to be taken for a fool by the
commander, who said to his captors, "This man is an idiot; restore
what belongs to him and send him away."
A certain Spaniard met Ignatius coming from the house of the
commander, led him home, just as he was, and gave him food and
whatever was necessary for that night.
The next morning he resumed his journey until toward evening, when,
espied by the soldiers of a fort, he was seized and brought to the
commander of the French forces. The latter, among other things, asked
where he came from. When Ignatius answered, "Guipuscoa," the officer
said, "I also come from near that place;" and immediately he ordered
Ignatius to be conducted within to supper and to be treated with great
kindness.
At Genoa, he was recognized by a Cantabrian, who had spoken with him
elsewhere, when in the army of his Catholic Majesty. Through his
influence, he was taken on a ship bound for Barcelona. He came very
near being taken captive by Andrea Dorea, who was at that time in the
service of the French, and gave chase to the vessel.
At Barcelona, he was enabled to study through the assistance of a
noble and very pious lady, Isabel Roser, and a teacher, named Ardebal.
Both highly approved his plan, Ardebal promising to give him
instruction free, while Isabel generously offered to provide him with
everything necessary.
At Manresa, there was a very holy monk, of the Order of St. Bernard,
with whom Ignatius wished to remain, as well for his own personal
guidance as to prepare himself to direct others. He accordingly
accepted the offer of his two generous friends on condition that what
he sought could not be obtained at Manresa. Finding, however, that the
monk had died, he returned to Barcelona and applied himself to study.
In this, however, he was destined to meet with some difficulties. In
his studies, the principles of grammar caused new spiritual thoughts
and tastes to arise so abundantly, as to render him incapable of
committing anything to memory, and though he strove hard, he could not
dispel these thoughts.
Public-domain text, read in full here on John Shaqi.
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