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St. Ignatius of Loyola[]
St. Ignatius of Loyola
The Art and Architecture of St. Ignatius Church describes the St. Ignatius of Loyola statue and key dates in his life as follows: "The statue of Saint Ignatius of Loyola, located above the main entrance to the church, is made of Indiana limestone. In his hands Ignatius holds his famous book, The Spiritual Exercises, on which is inscribed the motto of the Society of Jesus, 'Ad Majorem Dei Gloriam' ('for the Greater Glory of God').
Life History of Saint Ignatius of Loyola:
- 1491 Born at the castle of Loyola in Guipiscoa, today a part of Spain.
- 1517 Entered the army to take up a military career.
- 1521 Wounded in the battle of Pampeluna. Decided during his convalescence to dedicate his life to the service of God.
- 1522 Began The Spiritual Exercises in a cave near Manresa.
- 1537 Ordained a priest.
- 1540 Founded the Society of Jesus.
- 1556 Died in Rome.
- 1662 Canonized by Pope Gregory XV."
St. Francis Xavier[]
St. Francis Xavier
Frost describes the St. Francis Xavier statue and key dates in his life as follows: "The statue of Saint Francis Xavier, located above the main entrance to the church, is made of the same Indiana limestone as the statue of Saint Ignatius. This statue shows Xavier dressed in his priestly robes, holding a crucifix in his left hand and a shell in his right hand. The shell, used in pouring the baptismal waters, represents the thousands of baptisms he performed, and the crucifix symbolizes his missionary work.
Life History of Saint Francis Xavier
- 1506 Born of a noble family of Navarre, In what is now Spain.
- 1525 Enrolled at the University of Paris where he later met Ignatius.
- 1533 Began his studies for the priesthood.
- 1537 Ordained a priest.
- 1541 Appointed to evangelize the Indies.
- 1542–1552 Preached the word of God to the people of the Far East.
- 1552 Died on the Island of Sancian, China.
- 1662 Canonized by Pope Gregory XV"
St. Maria Goretti[]
St. Maria Goretti
St. Maria Goretti (1890-1902) was a poor Italian girl who was martyred in 1902 at the age of 12, shortly after her first communion. She was beautified in 1947 and canonized in 1950. Frost describes the St. Maria Goretti statue as follows: "The statue of Saint Maria Goretti, the young Italian girl who died a martyr's death at the age of twelve, is located above the north side entrance. Here Maria is pictured in her First Communion dress. In her hands she is carrying a long lighted candle, a traditional part of the First Communion ceremonies in Italy."
St. Jude[]
St. Jude
Frost describes the St. Jude statue as follows: "The limestone statue of Saint Jude, one of the Twelve Apostles, is located above the entrance on the south side. Jude is shown holding a book in his left hand and a club in his right hand. The book symbolizes his Epistle; the club, his martyrdom, for it was with such an instrument that he was beaten to death."
St. Patrick[]
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