Founder's Feast

Ignatius of Loyola, also known as Íñigo López de Loyola (December 24, 1491? – July 31, 1556), was the principal founder and first Superior General of the Society of Jesus, a religious order of the Roman Catholic Church professing direct service to the Pope. Members of the order, which was established after St. Ignatius learned of discerment of spirits, worked to serve the Roman Catholic Church, and was very active during the Protestant Reformation and the subsequent Catholic Reformation, are called Jesuits.

Ignatius of Loyola was beatified and then canonized to receive the title of Saint on March 12, 1622. His feast day is July 31, celebrated annually. He is the patron saint of Guipúzcoa and Biscay as well as of the Society of Jesus.

For more, see a nice post on Ignatius and his spirituality at The Peeping Thomists.