The movie about Ignatius of Loyola is a masterpiece. It uses the power of modern film making to show the interior greatness of a man whose mission in life was truly to conquer death itself. Seeing the spirit of this giant of a man is an experience that will command honor and triumph in a world that is losing both to demonic forces. Watching this film will bring new depth to our inner lives that seek ways to build faith and courage.

– Mother Dolores Hart, OSB
Author, The Ear of the Heart: An Actress’ Journey from Hollywood to Holy Vows

Ignatius of Loyola is the story of an extraordinary missionary disciple of Jesus Christ. It is a stirring drama, an epic adventure, and a portrait of an intimate and profound friendship with the Lord. I was inspired by the incredible story of holiness in ​this movie​, and you will be too.

– Most Reverend ​James Conley
​Bishop of Lincoln, NE

This unusually powerful film is an instrument of grace. It goes without saying that some of its strength is due to the gripping life-story of St. Ignatius. But more than this, the acting is outstanding, and the sense of moral and spiritual struggle is completely convincing. The dialogues bring to life the essential charism of the Jesuits without lapsing into the didactic, which is often a weakness with “hagiographical” film biographies. The awe-inspiring cinematography combines with all the other elements to create a work that is profoundly moving and beautiful in every way. It will become a classic.

– Michael D. O’Brien​
Author, Father Elijah: An Apocalypse​

Ignatius of Loyola was a soldier and an aristocrat. He was also a man touched by suffering from wounds of battle, wounds that prophetically taught him of the warfare surrounding the kingdom of God. This account of his early life is both gripping and moving, not to be missed.

– James V. Schall, SJ
Professor Emeritus, Georgetown University

A vibrant portrayal of an amazing story of God’s grace! This film captures the drama of Ignatius Loyola’s conversion and surrender to God. Ad majorem Dei gloriam!

– Fr. Joseph Koterski, SJ
Fordham University

​An intense, riveting, and sometimes raw look at the life of Ignatius of Loyola. This provocative film holds viewers captive from the opening scene to the last, and compels them to consider their own depth of commitment to God, His Church, and their witness to others. I was impassioned and inspired to stand in the breach with Inigo de Loyola!​

– Johnnette Benkovic
Founder, Women of Grace
EWTN Radio and Television Host

The appeal of this wonderful film flows from an exceptional cast led by Andrea Munoz as Ignatius and a conversion story that rivals Augustine’s and ranks among the most decisive in the history of the Church. This is a fresh, deeply engaging portrait of the Jesuits’ great founder – the former soldier who became a saint.

– Most Reverend ​Charles Chaput
Archbishop of Philadelphia, PA

An absolutely stunning portrayal of one of the greatest saints of all time! This film will inspire many to turn away from the illusory things of this world and seek to become knights of heaven and saints!

– Fr. Donald Calloway, MIC
Author, Champions of the Rosary: The History and Heroes of a Spiritual Weapon

Too often saints are presented as syrupy and other-worldly making it hard for real people to relate to them. Not this real life movie. St. Ignatius of Loyola is a manly man—a hero that real men can connect with—a lover and a warrior who takes the world in hand. Wounded in battle he struggles from the depths of his limitations. Then on that bed of sorrow and self-pity he discovers God through reading the lives of the saints. Then the story bursts forward as the warrior, now his manhood rife with meaning, takes on the world again but as a champion for Jesus Christ. Great inspirational movie for everyone, but especially the men who are saints in the rough just waiting to erupt like Ignatius of Loyola.

– Steve Ray
Host, The Footprints of God film series

Casting a brilliant lead as “Inigo”, each scene illustrates the continual conversion of one of the most momentous saints in our Church, and an invaluable leader for the Counter-Reformation. The film beautifully portrays to all Christians the enduring virtue necessary to become a constant convert and a passionate disciple of Jesus Christ, obedient to the Church He founded. Everyone who loves the saints must watch this movie now!

– Shaun A. McAfee
Founder, EpicPew.com

A powerful drama that focuses on the intense spiritual journey of St. Ignatius that gave birth to the Spiritual Exercises. This epic portrayal vividly depicts Ignatius’ personal struggle to seek God’s will amidst the allurements of wealth, fame, and pleasure. It reveals a side of the Jesuit founder that is rarely seen but can be experienced through riveting cinematography that fully engages the mind and heart. This compelling movie will encourage you to plumb the depths of God’s mercy in your own life to experience his love in a more meaningful way.

– Deacon Harold Burke-Sivers
Author, Behold the Man: A Catholic Vision of Male Spirituality

These days, the word epic is used to describe many things that aren’t truly so. But epic is an entirely fitting descriptor for Ignatius of Loyola. Full of swashbuckling adventure, romance in the truest sense, and all the intensity of a great spiritual struggle, it is a powerful depiction of a saint’s transformation from sinner to passionate knight in the service of his divine King. A superb cast, beautiful scenery, and artful cinematography make it a pleasure to watch. I have no doubt Ignatius of Loyola will become a classic enjoyed for years to come.

– Sam Guzman
Founder, The Catholic Gentleman

Ignatius of Loyola’s life was made for the big screen, and this new production captures beautifully the ongoing conversion of this soldier turned saint. Most striking is how Fr. Ignatius learned to pray in such a way that he could imagine and find the Lord Jesus dwelling in the business of everyday life. By reflecting on the experiences of his day, and then using the powers of his imagination and intellect, Ignatius came to show the world how God was to be found in all things.

– Fr. David Meconi, SJ
Editor, Homiletic & Pastoral Review

Ignatius of Loyola is not a simplistic children’s film, not a mere biography outlining the basic achievements of the saint’s life from birth to death. Here you will meet “Inigo” as a person, sharing his very human dreams, frustrations, struggles, and eventual conversion. As you experience Inigo’s gradual (and often painful) journey from superficial dreams of heroic glory to the transforming reality of heroic service for the glory of God, you will be moved, inspired, and awed by the way God leads us from who we are to who He destined us to be.

– Vinny Flynn
Author, 7 Secrets of Divine Mercy

Powerfully enthralling, entirely realistic and inspiring, Ignatius of Loyola is a must-see movie! Íñigo de Loyola, a handsome and heroic knight consumed with extravagance and the desire of glory, goes through hell and back after a devastating war injury. He reluctantly reads stories of Jesus and the saints while recuperating and is totally transformed to embrace the austere life of a beggar and contemplative, going on to spiritually instruct others, and eventually becomes one of the greatest saints of all time!

– Donna-Marie Cooper O’Boyle
Author, The Kiss of Jesus

Spectacularly recorded on location in Spain and the Philippines, Ignatius of Loyola presents a striking and pragmatic reflection of the Ignatian approach to life in the Spirit. A powerful script brought to life by talented acting that might well move you to reevaluate your approach to daily living, especially when you find yourself overwhelmed by misfortune.

– Bishop Robert P. Reed
The CatholicTV Network

I found the treatment of the development of Ignatian Spirituality and the Exercises very, very compelling and well done. I thought Andreas Munoz was quite compelling as Ignatius and I thought the metaphorical and imaginative approach to Ignatius’ inner world was in keeping with what we know of Ignatius from The Autobiography.

I can see where the Jesuit Schools Network might utilize the movie with groups with whom we work and I am very humbled to have been able to watch it.

– Jeffrey M. Howard, MA
Jesuit Schools Network, Director of Ignatian Mission Formation

Reactions to Ignatius of Loyola Screenings

Here’s what some of our hosts and their customers are saying:

Everyone loved the movie! We had 124 people come to the first showing and they all clapped at the end of the movie. It was the best Catholic movie I’ve seen and everyone loved coming to the theater to see such an awesome movie. One person I knew really well came up to me and he said, “Watching this movie makes me want to go and get a sack cloth and go out and preach!”

– Chuck Walden, Maryland

The movie screening was a tremendous success and we sold out of all 50 DVDs and we are ordering more. All along I’ve always thought that showing movies is one of the best ways to evangelize.

– Gloria Williams, Texas

What a powerful, powerful movie that is! Some people came out of the theater buying tickets for the next night. I talked to a lot of people and the one word everyone used was “powerful”! It just blew them out of the water.

People said they just loved that we bring movies to them and they wish it was more often than once every two or three years. It was spectacular! I can hardly wait to see it again!

– Charlotte LeMay, California

From Previous Screening Hosts

After hosting several screenings, I can honestly say that film is a wonderful way to educate and entertain people about our faith. Working with Ignatius Press has been an absolute joy and their staff is extremely knowledgeable and helpful. And not only have these Ignatius Press films been spiritually uplifting and a powerful tool for evangelization, but they have allowed us to raise substantial funds for the charities we support. I can’t wait to get started on the next screening!

– Marsha Kampfl, Peoria, IL

What a way to start 2017! We need these faith-based films. These ordinary people that became extraordinary people chosen by God. They changed the lives of many people. We are all chosen by God to become extraordinary and make a difference in the world. And we have absolutely been able to raise funds – these theatrical screenings have been very beneficial for us. Our focus was not about money, but we have raised money by bringing these stories to our area. It has made such a difference in our community. And especially for our young people who often do not even know about these saints.

– Gloria Williams, El Paso, TX

Reviews

A Catholic film that stands head and shoulders above any I’ve seen in years. It’s both truly Catholic and first-rate cinema.

– Brad Miner, The Catholic Thing

I like to think of this movie as a superhero origin story…. Ignatius of Loyola gives its audience a saint at his most human, fighting with opposing powers both natural and supernatural. It is a masterpiece of God’s mercy, of metanoia and the drama of sainthood.

– Tatiana Federoff, EpicPew.com

Lavish when you would expect it to be spare, understated when you would expect caricature, a new movie on Ignatius of Loyola is both surprising and inspiring. . . . If you are like me, you will dream of a number of the movie’s more striking scenes by night, and debate in your mind the finer theological and psychological points of the plot by day.

– Brian Caulfield, Fathers for Good

The new two-hour biopic film “Ignatius of Loyola” is a veritable gift to the Catholic Church…. In short, this movie has it all: action … profound reflection … authentically pristine scenery … and ultimately, a sequential survey of the early days of Ignatius’ ministry….

– Justin McClain, Catholic Exchange

A film that can keep viewers hooked from start to finish…. intense with a good depiction of man’s deepest frustrations, desires, and hopes.

– Benise Balaoing, ABS-CBN News

Paolo Dy’s Ignacio De Loyola humanizes a saint’s life beyond a piece of a holy statue. It works as an invitation to examine oneself, a challenge to “set the world on fire” with God’s fervor.

– Kevin Tan, Film Police Reviews

The biggest asset of Paolo Dy’s Ignacio de Loyola is not its ambition in scope and embellishment. It is its earnestness. The film … is a daring piece of work.

– Oggs Cruz, Rappler

Here’s what I liked about the movie: It brings St. Ignatius to life and makes him relatable — he’s a sinner’s saint. In the beginning of the movie, Iñigo, played by Spanish actor Andreas Munoz, sleeps with a prostitute, Anna. After his conversion, a friend brings him to Anna’s brothel in hopes that Iñigo will revert to his old, fun ways. But, instead, Iñigo sits down with Anna and talks to her about her dreams. He asks her to imagine that Jesus is there, and sitting in a chair in the corner of the room. Anna imagines Jesus in the room, and is able to experience Him in a way she never had before. The scene is well done and beautiful, and a great example of the kind of imaginative prayer St. Ignatius highlights in his “Spiritual Exercises”…. It’s also what makes the film special.

– Maria Jeffrey, Conservative Review