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
On the twenty-second day of their imprisonment they were summoned to
hear their sentence.
Although they were declared to be free from reproach both in their
lives and their doctrines, and were allowed to continue their work of
teaching the Christian doctrine and of speaking on spiritual subjects,
yet they were forbidden to draw any distinction between mortal and
venial sin, until they should have spent four more years in study.
Although Ignatius was unwilling to accept the sentence, because,
though condemned in no respect, he was nevertheless prevented from
assisting his neighbor, he declared that he would submit as long as
he remained in Salamanca.
Recommending the affair to God, Ignatius began to deliberate on his
future plan of action. He considered it a waste of time to remain at
Salamanca, as the restriction laid upon him prevented him from
assisting those for whose salvation he wished to labor.
He resolved, accordingly, to set out for Paris for the purpose of
there continuing his studies.
While studying at Barcelona, Ignatius was in doubt whether, after
completing his studies, he should enter some Religious Order, or go
from place to place, according to his custom.
He decided to enter upon the religious life. His next step was to find
some Order where the primitive fervor had not relaxed, as he felt that
there he would be more sure of satisfying his desire of suffering and
assisting others spiritually by bearing, for the love of God, any
injury or insult to which he might be subjected.
Even while at Salamanca these desires were ever present to him. To
this end he directed all his studies, endeavoring at the same time to
persuade others to adopt a like course, and to strengthen in their
good resolutions those who had already embraced it.
When he had resolved to go to Paris, he communicated his design to his
companions, telling them to remain where they were, until he could
find a means of helping them in their studies.
Many persons of rank endeavored to dissuade him from departing, but
all to no purpose.
Placing the few books he possessed upon a little ass, he took leave of
his companions about fifteen or twenty days after they came out of
prison.
Those who met him at Barcelona sought to deter him from going to
France, as at that time the war between the two countries was raging
with great fierceness. Notwithstanding the many acts of cruelty
inflicted by the French upon the Spaniards, many of whom had been
impaled, he persevered in his intention.
CHAPTER VII
HIS STUDIES IN PARIS, AND OTHER INCIDENTS OF HIS LIFE
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