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
After the event related in the last chapter, Ignatius mounted the
little horse which his companions had purchased for him, and began his
journey toward his native land. Even on the way he found his health
improving. As soon as he arrived in the province of Guipuscoa, his
native country, abandoning the common highway he followed a road
through the mountains because it was less frequented. He had advanced
a short distance by this path when he saw two armed men approaching.
The place was famous as the haunt of murderers. The men passed him a
little and then turning, hurried after him. He was not a little
frightened, but still, addressing them, he learned that they were his
brother's servants sent to meet him. For he had reason to believe that
a warning of his coming was sent to his brother from Bayonne in
France, where he had been recognized by several persons. Still
Ignatius kept on in the direction he had taken, and shortly before he
arrived in the town he met some priests coming to meet him. They
wished to bring him to his brother's home; but their efforts were
unavailing. He went to a public hospital, and afterward, at a suitable
time, begged for alms through the town.
Many came to see him in the hospital. He spoke to them, and through
God's grace gathered no little fruit. Upon his arrival, he resolved to
teach the Christian doctrine to children every day. His brother
objected to this, and assured him that no one would come. In answer
Ignatius said, "One is enough for me." However, as soon as he began to
teach, many came regularly, his brother among the number. In addition
to this, on Sundays and feast days, he also preached to the people
with great fruit, and thousands came many miles to hear him. He
labored also for the removal of many abuses, and through God's grace
good results were obtained in many cases. To give an example: By his
representations to the governor he obtained an order forbidding
gambling and other disorders, under great penalties. He took means
that the poor should be provided for publicly and regularly, and that
thrice a day, morning, noon, and evening, according to the Roman
custom, a signal should be given by ringing a bell for the recital of
the Angelus by the people.
Although at first he enjoyed good health, he afterward fell seriously
ill. For this reason, after his recovery, he determined to depart in
order to accomplish the business which he had undertaken for his
companions. He resolved to set out on foot and without money. His
brother was grieved at this, and looked on it as a disgrace to
himself. Ignatius concluded to yield this point, and at last, toward
evening, he consented to be carried to the boundary of the province in
company with his brother and relatives.
Public-domain text, read in full here on John Shaqi.
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