2. The childhood of Ignatius.

    Ignatius lived in Loyola till the age of sixteen. Life in a quiet mountain valley isolated him from the outside world. However, in the castle itself he had all that he needed. He was well provided with good food and he also received good education at home. He was taught in his own Basque, and in Spanish. As the castle was close to the French border, he would have gradually learnt some French as well.

    We have no record of his early years at school. But we do know that as Ignatius grew up, he had difficulty in mastering languages. He mixed up Basque and Spanish in his conversations, and in his writings. In fact, all his life he had difficulties in mastering languages.

    The family was deeply Catholic and that part of Spain was known for its strong loyalty to the Pope. So Ignatius grew up with a devout grasp of the Catholic faith that would influence every aspect of his life till his death.

    Despite the early demise of his parents (his mother died when he was very small and his father died while he was at Loyola) Ignatius had a happy childhood. His childhood was filled with joy and peace.

                  (to be continued chapter  3. Ignatius the Youth)

"Placed with the Son"- A short biography of St.Ignatius--- Fr.Lawrence Dharmaraj 

(From the personal study notes under the guidance of late Fr.Maurice Dullard s.j)