ST. IGNATIUS OF LOYOLA STATUE

This statue depicts St. Ignatius of Loyola (1491-1556), born and raised in the manor house of the Loyola family in the Basque country of present-day Spain. Ignatius was the founder of the “Society of Jesus,” more commonly known as the “Jesuit Order” or, more simply, “The Jesuits.” The Society is a global Catholic religious order headquartered in Rome.  

​

This statue represents Ignatius seated at his desk in Rome where he was the order’s first worldwide leader (known as the “Superior General”). In his position as administrative head of the order throughout its early years of rapid global expansion, Ignatius is known to have written a remarkable number of letters (while seated at his office desk) sent throughout the world. 

 

As can be seen throughout references found across Loyola University Chicago—for example, Fr. Arnold J. Damen, S.J., Fr. Henry J. Dumbach, S.J., and Fr. James J. Mertz, S.J.— members of the Jesuit order have the abbreviation “S.J.” after their names—i.e., “Society of Jesus” (Latin=Societatis Iesu). In 2040, the Society will commemorate the 500th anniversary of its founding in 1540. 

​

Although it performs a variety of works, the Society is best known throughout the world for its work in education and its global network of schools at various levels: primary, secondary, and post-secondary / higher education.