Ignatius of Loyola, born on October 23, 1491, and died on July 31, 1556, was a renowned hermit and the founder of the Society of Jesus, also known as the Jesuits. After a career as a soldier, he experienced a profound spiritual conversion following a battle injury. He founded the Jesuits, an order dedicated to educating well-rounded priests, and established a rigorous rule of life for the order. Ignatius's spiritual exercises have had a lasting impact on the lives of many, and he is revered as a saint and patron of the Catholic Church.
