St. Ignatius Loyola COLLECTION (JM 27)

Spanish Basque nobleman and soldier turned priest and theologian, St. Ignatius Loyola (1491-1556) was founder and first Superior General of the Society of Jesus (the Jesuits). Here, St. Ignatius is clad Jesuit style. He wears a simple black cassock, presumably wrapped and cinctured at the waist not buttoned down the front, and a collared black cape. He holds an open book—presumably, the Society’s Holy Rule--and points to the inscription, the Jesuits’ motto “[Omnia] ad majorem Dei gloriam”, that is, “[All things] for the greater glory of God”. Bound by a vow of special obedience to the Pope, the Jesuits undertook missionary work and education in orthodoxy under papal directives in the 16th century, playing an especially important role in the Counter-Reformation. + Feast: July 31