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Why was St. Ignatius of Loyola unable to remain in Jerusalem?
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St. Ignatius of Loyola
Ignatius of Loyola was a Spanish theologian who founded the Society of Jesus (Jesuits) in 1534. The Jesuit order received official papal approval in 1540 and became a key player in the Counter-Reformation of the 16th and 17th centuries.
When St. Ignatius of Loyola reached Jerusalem in September 1523, he desired to settle there permanently to live out his vocation. However, the Franciscan custodians of the Latin church's shrines refused to allow him to remain in the city.1
Recognizing that it was not God's will for him to stay, Ignatius departed Palestine in October 1523. This experience led him to conclude that he needed to pursue a formal education to better serve others, prompting him to begin his long period of academic study.12