A modern and very human take on the story of St. Ignatius of Loyola, the founder of the Jesuits, often called ‘The Saint of Second Chances.’

As a brash, hot-headed soldier in a time of political upheaval in Spain, the young Iñigo went from living a life of brutal violence and debauchery, to becoming one of the greatest saints in the history of the Church. This film chronicles Iñigo’s torturous struggle to turn from darkness to light—a struggle that nearly destroyed him, but also gave him the key to a spiritual weapon that continues to save lives to this very day.

Produced by Jesuit Communications Philippines (JesCom), Ignatius of Loyola was shot on location over two months in Spain.

It is an incisive and thrilling look at the life of the real man behind the legend.

In his lifelong quest to become the heroic Knight of his fantasies, Ignatius stares death in the face again and again, having his leg shattered by a cannonball in battle; driven to near suicide by his inner demons; finding himself imprisoned, accused of being a member of the Illuminati; and finally finding his life in the hands of the Inquisition. Through it all, he would come to see the hand of God working in his life, shaping the self-obsessed sinner into the loyal and passionate soldier-saint.

The film also shows how Ignacio wove the trials, errors, and lessons of his eventful life into the fabric of his masterpiece, the Spiritual Exercises. Combining clarity of thought with Ignacio’s own love of fantasy and imagination, the Exercises form a rigorous method of making one’s life decisions, and have guided and influenced countless seekers throughout history.

Cast & Crew

Andrea Munoz (Ignatius)

Andreas Muñoz began his professional acting career at the age of nine, debuting in the film The Devil’s Backbone, directed by visionary director Guillermo del Toro and produced by Pedro Almodovar. A few years later he played his first starring role in the TV series Dime que me quieres (Tell me that you love me). Andreas became known on the international stage through his work at Disney Channel Spain.

In 2010, Andreas studied drama at the Real Escuela Superior de Arte Dramatico (RESAD) in Madrid. He then continued his studies at the Royal Conservatoire of Scotland (RCS) in Glasgow. Despite his busy schedule in school, he still managed to work in film (The Students of Springfield Street, Yocasta) and television (No sin mis Padres). He also had the opportunity to work in the Royal Theatre in Glasgow with the Royal Shakespeare Company and National Theatre Production of Dunsinane, as well as the RCS’s Hamlet (playing the title role) and Macbeth.

Andreas’s most recent works include a leading role in the Italian production, Terrazzo, le 24 Volte, directed by Giulio Rubinelli, and a supporting role in the Spanish film Demonios tus ojos, directed by Pedro Aguilera.

Javier Godino (Santi)

Javier Godino is a well-known Spanish actor who began his studies at Juan Carlos Corazza’s School of Interpretation. He has worked in both Spanish and international cinematic productions, as well as musicals, theater, and television. In 2009, he played one of the most important roles of his career as Isidoro Gomez in Argentinian director Juan José Campanella’s film The Secret in Their Eyes, winner of the Academy Award for Best Foreign Language Film, where he shared the lead with Ricardo Darín and Soledad Villamil.

Julio Perillán (Padre Sanchez)

Julio Perillán is an American film and theater actor of Spanish descent. Born and raised in Washington, Julio graduated with a degree in Physics from the University of Maryland. He began his acting career in 1998 and eventually returned to his roots in Spain. Julio’s numerous cinema credits include Juanma Bajo Ulloa’s Frágil, Elio Quiroga’s The Dark Hour, and Woody Allen’s Vicky Cristina Barcelona.

Pepe Ocio (Montes)

Pepe Ocio is Spanish actor and writer, known for Camino (2008), A Matador’s Mistress (2008), and The Night of the Brother (2005). Pepe was born in Madrid and trained at the prestigious Juan Carlos Corazza. He played the role of Don Miguel Angel in the film Opus Dei Camino Javier Fesser, for which he was nominated as Best Supporting Actor at the Union of Actor in 2009.

 

Mario De La Rosa (Calixto)

Mario de la Rosa began training as an actor well into his thirties. His bold physique, together with his natural instinct for acting, have slowly, but steadily, garnered him a solid career as an actor with some of the most renowned directors in Spain (Santiago Zannou, Daniel Calparsoro, Daniel Monzón), as well as internationally (Susanne Bier, Andy Tennant, Kevin Reynolds). He currently combines his work in film and TV with stage productions, having debuted on the Madrid theatre scene in 2015.