IGNATIUS OF ST PAUL. — Passionist, born George Spencer, on 21 Dec 1799 in London, died at Carstairs (Scotland) on 10 Oct 1864. He completed his studies at Eton College and the University of Cambridge and was ordained in the Anglican rite. After his conversion to Catholicism in 1830, he was ordained a priest in Rome on 26 May 1832. He devoted himself zealously to pastoral ministry in England, launching in 1838 a fruitful “crusade of prayer for the return of England to the unity of the faith,” which he preached and promoted not only in England but also in Ireland, Scotland, Italy, Germany, and France. In 1848 he entered the Institute of the Passionists and became a capable and tireless missionary.
Bibl.: A short account of the conversion of the hon. and rev. G. Spencer, written by himself, London, n.d.; Pius a Spirito Sancto, Life of father Ignatius of St. Paul, passionist (The hon. and rev. George Spencer), Dublin 1886; A. Ross, Father Ignatius Spencer, passionist, the apostle of the conversion of England (1799–1864), London 1915; U. Young, Life of father Ignatius Spencer, C.P., ibid. 1933. PAOLO LUIGI DEL CROCIFISSO