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Ignatius of Loyola

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Ignatius of Loyola
Time of Studies

Inácio de Loyola, realized that it was not the will of God to stay in Jerusalem. Ignatius "continually pondered within himself what he ought to do. Eventually he was rather inclined to study for some time so he would be able to help souls," he wrote in his Autobiography. He decided to obtain a good education in as much as the circumstances would allow him. He could probably could have been ordained a priest in a matter of a few years, but he chose to delay ordination for more than twelve years and he went back to school an age when most men had long finished their class room instruction. Perhaps his military career had taught him the value of a careful preparation for every enterprise. On this account, Ignatius was convinced that a well-educated person could accomplish more in short time than someone without any learning would never accomplish.

He studied in Barcelona for approximately two years. In 1526 he moved to Alcalá. In that time he acquired followers, to whom he proclaimed his thoughts about mercy and faith and to whom he offered the Spiritual Exercises. His small group began to wear distinctive clothes. But Ignatius soon was suspected of being a heretic; he was imprisoned and tried. Even though he was found innocent, he left Alcalá for Salamanca. There not only was Ignatius arrested, but all of his companions. Again he was found innocent of heresy, but he was forbidden to teaching until he had finished his studies. Ignatius decided to leave his followers and Spain on account of the prohibition to teach.

In Paris

Ignatius arrived in Paris on February 2, 1528, and stayed there as student until 1535. He lived on alms. In the years of 1528 and 1529 he went to Flanders so as to beg from the Spanish merchants. In 1530 he went to England with the same purpose. In Paris he formed a new group of disciples whose life style provoke so many and effusive comments that he needed again to justify this way of life to the religious authorities. This episode finally convinced him that he should refrain from public religious preaching until he was ordained a priest.

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