In God's army

the long version

The first part of this book is dedicated to St. Ignatius the founder of the Society of Jesus also referred to as the Company of Jesus. Martindale shows that the conversion of Ignatius was in part due to his vanity. He suffered through a painful operation to fix a broken leg so that he could return to Court. During his recovery he asked for reading material but he was only furnished with the lives of the saints. We follow Ignatius through a life of self-sacrifice and suffering—some self-inflicted—some through the jealousy of friends and enemies. The second part of the book tells of the life of Francis Xavier. His life was from the beginning intimately intertwined with St. Ignatius. Xavier without warning or preparation was suddenly called away to a mission in India, where he became a second St. Paul. The story of his death at the very door step of China is poignant and unforgettable.