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This Week in Christian History: GK Chesterton, a Jesuit Death, Beatles Controversy

By Michael Gryboski, Editor Twitter

Ignatius of Loyola Dies – July 31, 1556

Saint Ignatius of Loyola, (1491-1556), founder of the Society of Jesus, commonly known as the Jesuits.
Saint Ignatius of Loyola, (1491-1556), founder of the Society of Jesus, commonly known as the Jesuits. | (Photo: Wikipedia)

This week marks the anniversary of when St. Ignatius of Loyola, founder of the Society of Jesus order, died in Rome a few months shy of his 65th birthday.

A native of Spain and a former soldier, Ignatius' missionary order was granted official recognition in 1540 by Pope Paul III.

"Under Ignatius' charismatic leadership, the Society of Jesus grew quickly. Jesuit missionaries played a leading role in the Counter-Reformation and won back many of the European faithful who had been lost to Protestantism," noted History.com.

"The Jesuits also ran several charitable organizations, such as one for former prostitutes and one for converted Jews. When Ignatius de Loyola died on July 31, 1556, there were more than 1,000 Jesuit priests."

While sometimes on the wrong side of Church and secular politics, at present a member of Ignatius' order currently heads the one-billion member Roman Catholic Church.

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