- Ignatius and Diego Gouvea, rector of Sainte Barbe
Infractions of the rules were punished with the rod and in general played an important role in education. In such an incident Ignatius was involved when he was accused (by Pedro Ortiz) of distracting his fellow students from their studies by giving the spiritual exercises .... Diego Gouvea, rector of the college, when about to begin the punishment, realized the real motivation of Ignatius and in place of giving the signal to proceed with the punishment, actually apologized to Ignatius bringing upon himself a blessing in disguise in front of his fellow students and teachers.
- Ignatius and Francis Xavier at the University
The college of Sainte Barbe had a concentration of Spanish and Portuguese students having been endowed by 50 scholarships from King John III of Portugal ...... . One of the students was already a veteran of three years in Paris. His name: Francis Xavier from Navarra. As shown here students wore a uniform cassock and cincture, with the color and cut depending on the college.
- Ignatius and his roommates
The students, unless they rented their own apartment, lived as a rule three or four to a room and if possible under the supervision of one of the faculty. Here they slept, studied and kept their needed books and personal belongings. Providence had brought Ignatius of Loyola, Francis Xavier of Navarra and Peter Favre of Savoy together as roommates.
- Francis Xavier - (based on sketch from 1542, Ceylon)
Perhaps the only authentic sketch of Francis Xavier (based upon direct observation) can help us to understand his personality. It seems that Francis was at first cool to Ignatius. Their two life styles were quite different: Ignatius was now 38, of noble tradition but living a frugal life even begging for himself or others; Francis was a strapping youth of 23, of noble birth, athletic, a good student, but also a big spender associating himself with the rowdy crowd that often broke school rules by frequenting taverns, with late hour drinking and carousing. The beadle of his class had been publically executed for killing three persons in such circumstances, including a nephew of the prime minister. Francis Xavier had already finished his studies, taken his Master's Degree and was teaching philosophy at the nearby College of Beauvais but continuing to live at Sainte Barbe.
- Peter Favre
Peter Favre, the third roommate, had just completed his studies but without a teaching position except to assist Ignatius as his tutor explaining lectures, proposing difficulties and exercising discussion over grammar, logic, ethics and metaphysics. In his personal writings he exclaimed: "Blessed forever that Divine Providence that I should coach this holy man Ignatius in philosophy while he coached me in the things of God. Living together in the same room we had our meals together at the same table and shared a common purse. He opened up for me the obscurities of my own will and taught me how to find the will of God."
- Nicolás Bobadilla
Other classmates and companions came under the influence of Ignatius during these months of study. Either by example of his life, his endearing manner, his zeal for people's welfare or on a singular occasion undergoing his Spiritual Exercises, Ignatius communicated that sense of seeing God in all things that captured the imagination of others and their willingness to become his associates. During these months persons like Nicolás Bobadilla, a master of arts from University of Alcalá and Valladolid, joined Ignatius.
- Diego Laynez
Other people like Diego Laynez, of Jewish ancestry, and Alfonso Salmerón, as students at the University of Alcalá had heard of Ignatius' reputation as a living saint and hoped to meet him during graduate studies at the University of Paris. They too found in Ignatius something admirable which led them to undergo the Spiritual Exercises.
- Alfonso Salmerón
Alfonso Salmerón had a passion for the languages of Greek, Latin and Hebrew and became known as a natural born orator at the University of Paris, excelling with philosophic discussions embellishing his declaiming style with Greek and Latin poets. He also joined this group with Ignatius.
- Simón Rodríguez
The youngest person to join Ignatius was Simón Rodríguez, nephew of Diego Gouvea, who at age 17 had been the beneficiary of one of the 50 scholarships of King John III of Portugal. He began his course of studies of philosophy like Ignatius and eventually was drawn into this group of companions. In all Ignatius had inculcated a sense of service and a sense of vocation to become "friends in the Lord" and to pursue theological studies which deepened their knowledge and a concern for the welfare of their neighbor.
- City of Rouen, France - 16th Century
Besides his studies, his work in spiritual direction and works of charity, Ignatius continued his summer journeys. He finally heard from his friend, who had squandered the 25 gold coins, now sick and without funds in the city of Rouen. Upon receiving a letter, Ignatius decided to go to him by walking the entire distance on bare feet, without food or water. In Rouen, he consoled the sick man and helped him find a place on a ship to return to his native Spain.
- Bruges, Flanders - 16th Century
He travelled to Flanders to the city of Bruges each summer stopping again to see the Spanish merchant Gonzolo de Aguilera and in 1531, he departed from there to London perhaps with a list of contacts suggested by Juan Luis Vives or others that might assist him financially.
- London, Church of St. Augustine - 16th Century
Although Ignatius mentions no specific name, he found boat passage from Bruges and arrived in London at the Church of St. Augustine on Broad Street not far from the Tower of London where the Spanish ambassador had his residence. All we know is the simple testimony of Ignatius that the English were most generous providing tuition money for himself and some for "his fellow needy students." The amount must have been substantial as Ignatius never needed to request funds again in this manner.
- Academic Disposition - 16th Century
As a student, Ignatius was working toward a bachelor's degree in arts, by taking the standard three courses, each of which lasted a year. The first course was the "Summulae" of Pedro Hispano, a dry study of logic and reasoning with commentaries. The second year course was the logic of Aristotle with chief classroom exercises consisting of disputations which concluded with a public examination. The third year course was devoted to Aristotle's Physics, Metaphysics and Ethics. The final examination for the licentiate took place before a panel of four examiners. Out of a class of 100 students Ignatius was ranked in the order of merit number 30. Francis Xavier earlier had been 22 and Peter Favre 24.
- Abbey St. Genevieve - 16th Century
For graduation, the students gathered at the Church of the Mathurins on the Rue St. Jacques and then the candidates marched in solemn procession to the Abbey St. Genevieve where the chancellor of the University of Paris pronounced the formula whereby candidates received the license to "teach, dispute and determine at Paris and anywhere else in the world." Ignatius received his degree March 13, 1532.
- Dominican Church and monastery
Generally a master's degree was a costly affair and Ignatius postponed this ceremony for two years. Although extra courses were not required, Ignatius did study theology 'for about a year and a half following the lectures at the Dominican monastery of St. Jacques and in that of the Franciscans nearby ...... . To the lectures he had to bring a Bible and the commentary on the book of the Sentences by Peter Lombard. Ignatius held the highest regard for the writings of Thomas Aquinas (the study of these writings were so important that he will later prescribe for all students in the Society). Outstanding among his professors were the Dominican Jean Benoit, who enjoyed great prestige at the University of Paris, and the Franciscan Pierre de Cornes.
- The Convent and Church of the Mathurins
The final master's degree consisted of the candidate giving a lecture and if the attending masters as peers approved the candidate he was granted a biretta (teacher's cap) which was imposed upon the head by one of the former teachers of the candidate and the name of the new master was added to the roll of university professors and authorized him to hold office as a regent of any of the affiliated colleges. The celebration took place at the Church of Mathurins and the diploma of parchment with the great seal of university read: "Master Ignatius of Loyola, of the diocese of Pamplona" March 14, 1534. This was the first time the name Ignatius appeared and he was ever after recognized as Master Ignatius. This diploma exists today in Rome.
- Carthusian Monastery, Chartreuse
Owing to his marked predilection for the Carthusians, Ignatius made the habit of his weekly confession and Holy Communion at their house just outside the gate ......
... of St. Jacques (see R. Le Chartreuse in lower right, now the Luxembourg gardens). In this he encouraged other students and friends to do likewise and the Chartreuse became for them each Sunday morning a kind of club or cenacle where they could discuss, freely their aspirations, academic life and difficulties, and of course to socialize. Over the front door of the monastery was a painting of the St. Bruno ...
... and the six companions who founded the Cartusian order.
- Church of Notre Dame de Champs
With these intervening months, Ignatius continued to write, rewrite and update the compendium of Spiritual Exercises in light of his deepening theological understanding. He often spent time in prayer at the Church of Notre Dame des Champs (also outside the walls) which is built over the traditional site of the third century church of St. Denis and his companions (St. Rusticus and St. Eleutherius), so one could understand his devotion to St. Denis ...... , patron saint of France when he begins to think about making a formal commitment with his companions and the sacred place to do that.
