The Autobiography of St. Ignatius

ospital, was taken from his lodging by a public officer, who cast him

trict, an opportunity of visiting him was afforded many persons, to whom he explained the pr

person especially, Lady Teresa de Cardena, sent frequently, offering to deliver him from prison. He rep

the cause,-when Figueroa came to question him. Among other thi

and beautiful. These, especially the daughter, had made great progress in the spiritual life, and although ladies of ran

Dr. Giruellus, who was the guardian of the two women, thinking that Ig

their design, on account of the daughter, who was quite young and beautiful, representing to them at the same time that if they felt strongly urged to assist the poor, Alcala presented a broad enough field for their labors, a

ss had heard of the imprisonment of Ignatius, hastened from Segovia, where

o prison. It was necessary, he said, for him to be detained until the return of the women. I

h, Ignatius, through the intervention of a profess

s this: He and his companions should wear the same style of clothing as the other students, and refrain from preaching the truths of faith until they had finished four more years of study.

s what to do, for he saw very little chance of advancing the salvation of souls, hindere

good sense and judgment of Fonseca, Archbishop of Tole

ty, and said that, although it was not a matter pertaining either to his

g to Salamanca, and assuring him that he would find friends there. Sup

t at the same time observed that they were too poor to provide themselves with new clothi

cognized by a pious lady, who, asking his name, conducted him to his companions. About ten or twelve days after their arrival at Salamanca

him to come to dine the Sunday following, at the same time adding that many questions would b

s to a chapel, and after expressing his pleasure at the good account received of him and his

e had spent more time in studying than his companions, yet he confessed that

plied Ignatius; "we are wont to talk familiarly about divine things w

ued the monk; "this is the very po

ned Ignatius, "endeavoring to inculcate a

o engage in such a task unless he has acquired knowledge or has been taught by the Holy Ghost. You confess ignorance of letter

should say more upon the subject. As the monk still pressed him, giving as a reason the fact that many were once more thrusting forward the erroneous doctrine of

although of tall stature, he went about almost barelegged, holding a staff in his hand, and wearing a

e ordered to dress as the other students, Calisto

spleased at this, remarkin

ying his wish that Ignatius should remain in the chapel. The matter was then laid before the judges. Both Ignatius and Calisto remained three days in the monastery, taking their meals with the community, before any decision of the judges was made known to t

e of the cell there was a pillar to which was attached a chain but a few feet in length, and so riveted to the prisoners that when either moved the other was obliged to follow him

t no opportunity of speaking upon spiritu

rcises, that it might be seen whether or not they contained any false doctrine. When asked about his other companions, he told

ed on this occasion, he

nswer many questions, not only on his Spiritual Exercises, but even on articles of faith, as,

not find the least flaw in his doctrine. He was equally correct

at he did not know the d

ave so full and exhaustive an explanation as to leav

l sin of thought. While speaking about his Exercises, he was closely questioned. To their questions, howeve

son and chains were not insupportable. "I shall give," said Ignatius, "the reply made to-day to a woman who bewailed my lot. For the love of Jesus Christ, I gladly would wear all the

ing only Ignatius and his companions. When this became known it caused a reaction in t

heir imprisonment they were s

continue their work of teaching the Christian doctrine and of speaking on spiritual subjects, yet they were forb

demned in no respect, he was nevertheless prevented from assisting his neig

tion. He considered it a waste of time to remain at Salamanca, as the restriction lai

t out for Paris for the purpose

after completing his studies, he should enter some Religio

had not relaxed, as he felt that there he would be more sure of satisfying his desire of suffering and assi

ed all his studies, endeavoring at the same time to persuade others to adopt a like c

gn to his companions, telling them to remain where they were,

red to dissuade him from dep

ass, he took leave of his companions about fift

een the two countries was raging with great fierceness. Notwithstanding the many acts of cruelty infl