John Ogilvie's noble Scottish family was partly Catholic and
partly Presbyterian. His father raised him as a Calvinist,
sending him to the continent to be educated. There John became
interested in the popular debates going on between Catholic and
Calvinist scholars. Confused by the arguments of Catholic
scholars whom he sought out, he turned to Scripture. Two texts
particularly struck him: "God wills all men to be saved and come
to the knowledge of the truth," and "Come to me all you who are
weary and find life burdensome, and I will refresh you." Slowly,
John came to see that the Catholic Church could embrace all
kinds of people. Among these, he noted, were many martyrs. He
decided to become Catholic and was received into the Church at
Louvain, Belgium, in 1596 at the age of 17. John continued his
studies, first with the Benedictines, then as a student at the
Jesuit College at Olmutz. He joined the Jesuits and for the next
10 years underwent their rigorous intellectual and spiritual
training. Ordained a prie