July 31
St. Ignatius Loyola (1491-1556) founded the Society of Jesus, the Roman Catholic
religious order whose members are known as Jesuits.
Now the largest single religious order in the world, the Jesuits are known for their work
in education, which St. Ignatius believed was one of the best ways to help people.
In the United States, which currently has more Jesuits than any other country, they train
hundreds of thousands of high school, college, and university students every year.
St. Ignatius is the patron saint of retreats and those who attend retreats.
The Feast of St. Ignatius is celebrated by Jesuits everywhere, but particularly in the
Basque region of Spain where he was born.
The largest Basque community in North America, located in Boise, Idaho, holds its
annual St. Ignatius Loyola Picnic on the last weekend in July - an event often referred to
as the Basque Festival .
Every five years (2000, 2005, etc.) Boise's Basque Organization holds Jaialdi ("Big
Festival"), the International Basque Cultural Festival, which features Basque music,
dancing, food, sports, and more. The first Basques settled in the United States in 1865.
Full story:
https://encyclopedia2.thefreedictionary.com/Feast+of+St.+Ignatius+Loyola
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