St. Ignatius of Loyola Coloring Page
This St. Ignatius of Loyola coloring page shows the saint in his priest's cassock, holding a book marked AMDG under the IHS sunburst, with his old soldier's sword and helmet laid down on the ground. The PDF is free to print. Ignatius was a soldier who became a saint and founded the Jesuits.
The story of St. Ignatius of Loyola
About 500 years ago, in a castle in the mountains of Spain, there lived a young nobleman named Íñigo. He wanted to be a famous soldier. He loved fine clothes, adventure stories and dreams of being a hero.
In 1521 a cannonball hit his leg during a battle, and he had to stay in bed for many months. He asked for adventure books to pass the time, but the only books in the castle were a life of Jesus and stories of the saints. So he read them. Little by little, Ignatius noticed something. When he daydreamed about being a famous knight, he felt empty afterward. But when he thought about following Jesus like the saints, he felt peaceful and happy for a long time. He decided to give his whole life to God.
When he was well, he went to a shrine of Our Lady at Montserrat and left his sword and dagger at her altar. From then on he would be a soldier for Jesus. He spent many months praying, and he wrote down what he learned in a little book called the Spiritual Exercises. People still use it today to pray and grow closer to God.
Later, Ignatius went back to school. There he made six good friends, and together they started a new group of priests called the Society of Jesus, the Jesuits. Jesuits went all over the world to tell people about Jesus, and they started many schools.
We celebrate St. Ignatius of Loyola on July 31.
What to color
- His cassock: black, the way Jesuit priests dress.
- The IHS sunburst: bright yellow and gold. IHS stands for the name of Jesus.
- The book: any color. The letters AMDG mean "for the greater glory of God."
- The sword and helmet: silver and gray, laid down because he chose to serve Jesus.
- The chapel and mountain: gray stone and green or brown hills, for Montserrat.
A prayer to pray together
Ignatius wrote a famous prayer called the Suscipe, which means "Receive." It ends with these words:
Give me Thy love and grace, for this is enough for me.
Children can say it simply: St. Ignatius, pray for us, and help us do everything for the glory of God.
Ideas for families and classrooms
- Color this page on his feast, July 31.
- Write "AMDG" at the top of your schoolwork, as many Jesuit students do.
- Try a short "examen" at bedtime: thank God for one good thing today and say sorry for one thing.
- Talk about it: Ignatius felt peaceful when he thought about Jesus. When do you feel close to God?
- If you know a Jesuit school or parish nearby, find its IHS sign.
Read the full story: St. Ignatius of Loyola in the encyclopedia.
Frequently asked questions
What colors should I use for St. Ignatius?
Jesuits wear a black cassock, so black or dark gray is the classic choice. Make the IHS sunburst bright yellow and gold, the book any color you like, and the helmet and sword silver.
What do the letters IHS and AMDG mean?
IHS are the first letters of the name of Jesus in Greek, and Jesuits have used them as their sign. AMDG stands for the Latin words Ad Majorem Dei Gloriam, "for the greater glory of God," the motto Ignatius gave the Jesuits.
Why is there a sword on the ground?
Ignatius was a soldier. After he gave his life to God, he went to the shrine of Our Lady at Montserrat in Spain and left his sword and dagger at her altar. Laying down the sword shows he chose to serve Jesus instead.
Is this coloring page free for schools?
Yes. Print as many copies as you need for your home, classroom or parish.