Heart of a founder: Ignatius Loyola

Listen in on Francis Xavier’s relationship with Ignatius Loyola, the founder of the Jesuits. What was it about him that inspired gifted, a privileged nobleman like Xavier to give up everything and lay down his life in service?

My true Father,

I received a letter of your holy charity at Malacca when I returned from Japan. God Our Lord knows what a consolation it was for me to have news of a health and of a life so dear to me.

Among other holy words and consolations of your letter, I read the concluding one, which ran: ‘Entirely yours, without ever being able to forget you, Ignatius.’

I read them, my eyes full of tears, as they are now full of tears while I write them down. The past comes back to me and I recall the great love that you bore and still bear me.

I feel that my deliverance by God from the many perils and hardships of Japan was due to the intercession and holy prayers of your charity. Never would I be able to set down how much I owe to the people of Japan. . . .

Your holy charity has written to me how greatly you long to see me again before your life closes. God Our Lord knows how these words of such great love have sunk into my soul, and what tears they draw from my eyes every time I think of them.

Francis Xavier (1552)