The Diocese of Pensacola-Tallahassee celebrated the feast day of St. Ignatius of Loyola, founder of the Jesuits, on July 31.

“His wisdom and virtue attracted followers, and the Society of Jesus was born,” the diocese posted on Facebook. “The Jesuits remain active today, especially in universities and colleges worldwide. St. Ignatius, please pray for us!”

In 1491, St. Ignatius of Loyola was born in Spain to a noble family with 13 children. Britannica said his mother died when he was young, and he became a page for the treasurer of the kingdom of Castile. 

When he was about 26, Ignatius became a knight, and he spent his time conducting military and diplomatic missions, according to Britannica. A few years into his knight's work, while defending the citadel of Pamplona against the French military, Ignatius was struck by a cannonball. This injury ended a chapter of his life where he described himself as "a man given to the vanities of the world, whose chief delight consisted in martial exercises, with a great and vain desire to win renown.”

“During his recovery, he read ‘Lives of the Saints,’ which inspired him to dedicate himself to the Catholic faith,” the diocese said. “After making a general confession in a monastery in Montserrat, he spent almost a year in solitude.” 

He was engrossed in spiritual readings during his recovery, and Mary was said to have visited him in a vision. Once he regained his health and strength, he traveled to her shrine near Barcelona, according to Franciscan Media. He spent a year with a nearby Dominican Order and by himself in an isolated cave, and he began to write down what would become his greatest work: “The Spiritual Exercises.” 

Ignatius made a pilgrimage to the Holy Land, and then he spent his time traveling to different universities to study, according to Catholic.org. Several men joined Ignatius, and the group started to refer to themselves as "Friends in the Lord.” 

The group traveled to Rome, Catholic.org said, where they had an audience with the pope and offered to serve him. Pope Paul III sanctioned the group as an official religious order. They became known as the Society of Jesus or the Jesuits. The Jesuits are known today for their work in educating people worldwide. Ignatius is the patron saint of the Society of Jesus, soldiers, educators and education. 

The Jesuits continue their mission of education with more than 800 schools worldwide, including 62 high schools, and 28 colleges and universities in the U.S.