Credited with being the most influential force in the spread of the Catholic Church throughout the world is Ignatius of Loyola. The Society of Jesus, the Jesuits, remains as a strong influential part of the Catholic Church. Who was this man, what did he believe and how did he initiate this magnanimous work?
             Ignatius was born Iñigo Lopez de Loyola most likely in the year 1491. The precise date is difficult to pinpoint since the baptismal records for his parish in Azpeitia do not begin until the year 1537. Iñigo's parents, Don Beltrán Yañez de Oñez y Loyola and Marina Saenz de Lieona y Balda were landlords in Guipúzcoa in the mountain regions of Northern Spain near the French border. In this Basque region of Spain, the men were straightforward in manners and of charitable nature, tenacity and devotion to the Catholic faith.
             In 1506, Iñigo's parents sent him to the home of Juan Velázquez de Cuéllar, the Chief Treasurer for King Ferdinand and Isabella for training as a page. Shortly after, Iñigo's father dies in 1507.
             It is here in the Spanish court that Iñigo discovers the popular culture of the day. The Spanish Renaissance is flourishing and music and chivalrous novels abound. He emulates what he sees and reads. He sees the gentlemen of the court wearing fine clothes, concerned with their appearance, romantic involvements and, most importantly, becoming distinguished. Combined with his heritage of tenacity, these traits become the foundation of his character both in his early secular and later religious endeavours.
             To gain his own distinction, young Iñigo engaged in military expeditions when required to do so. He was never a professional soldier, yet he managed to rally support to resist a large French invasion force that besieged Pamplona in 1521. The battle took place on May 17. It was a hopeless battle and during the ruckus, a c...