Ignatius Loyola, a Spanish nobleman and army officer, was leading his soldiers into battle in 1521 when his leg was shattered by a cannonball. During his yearlong convalescence, he immersed himself in stories about the saints and the life of Christ, which led to his conversion. After a period of prayer, penance and charitable works, he began studying for the priesthood. He founded the Society of Jesus in 1540 with a small group of followers and spent the rest of his life leading the Society in its mission to serve God by serving others.