Ignatius of Loyola and the Jesuits
The Protestant Reformation is a time of great change for 16th century Europe and
especially for the Catholic Church. It was a religious, political, and cultural change for the people
of Europe and was led by the reformers of that time such as Martin Luther who criticized many
flaws in the church including the selling of indulgences. Historically, King Henry VII wanted to
divorce his current wife because she could not produce him a male heir but, was unable to due to
the rules of the church. With their decline of influence over Europe, the church’s followers split
into other new religious such as Calvinism and also created the Counter-Reformation that would
later influence Society of Jesus which was founded by St. Ignatius of Loyola.
St. Ignatius of Loyola was a Spaniard who was originally a soldier on a quest for fame
and glory that he thought was found in the battlefield. Because he came from a family of minor
