The Ignatian Year - what is it and how can you get involved?

October 1, 2021

The Ignatian Year marks the 500th anniversary of the religious conversion of St Ignatius of Loyola, the founder of the Society of Jesus.

As a young man, Iñigo, as he was then known, was vainglorious. He took up dancing, fencing, gambling, duelling, and pursuing women. He was driven by a desire for fame.

At the Battle of Pamplona in 1521, Iñigo’s dream came to a shattering end when he was horrifically injured by a cannonball. He barely survived, enduring months of torturous surgeries without any form of anaesthetic. While convalescing, he had a spiritual awakening which would change him forever, and indeed the world.  

The story of Iñigo’s conversion and journey to sainthood serves as an example for all time. It begins in a moment of terrible crisis, but ultimately leads to a lifetime of profound self-knowledge.

We will be celebrating this journey through events, activities, exhibitions, blogs, and a sense of unity in Christ (all the details will be here on this page). We hope you will join us and find something in yourself along the way.

To check out Ignatian Year events please click here

New scholarships announced for Heythrop Library

December 7, 2022

These new scholarships are intended to fund Heythrop Library memberships for early career academics

A milestone for Heythrop Library

June 7, 2024

The team have catalogued over 6,000 rare and important books over the last 3 years.

Warm Welcome for Catholic Students in Manchester

September 28, 2023

Manchester Universities Catholic Chaplaincy sparkled with vitality as the new academic year began

Inigo - an “impressive” and “brilliantly written” play about St Ignatius of Loyola

December 3, 2021

To celebrate the Ignatian Year, actors did a readthrough of 'Inigo' at the London Jesuit Centre