June 21

St. Aloysius Gonzaga

St. Aloysius Gonzales

When he lived:

St. Aloysius Gonzales lived during the late 16th and early 17th centuries, from March 9, 1568, to June 21, 1591.

Where he lived:

St. Aloysius Gonzales hailed from the vibrant city of Castiglione delle Stiviere, located in Lombardy, Italy. Nestled amidst picturesque landscapes and rich cultural heritage, this charming town served as the backdrop for his early life.

Notable world events during the time of his life:

The Elizabethan Era (1558-1603): A remarkable era of English history marked by the reign of Queen Elizabeth I. It witnessed significant advancements in the arts, exploration, and the defeat of the Spanish Armada in 1588.
The Scientific Revolution (1543-1687): A period of groundbreaking discoveries and paradigm shifts in scientific thought. Scientists such as Galileo Galilei and Johannes Kepler challenged traditional beliefs, laying the foundation for modern science.
The Battle of Lepanto (1571): A historic naval battle fought between the Holy League, led by Spain, and the Ottoman Empire. The victory of the Holy League played a crucial role in curbing Ottoman expansion in the Mediterranean.
The Arrival of the First English Settlers in America (1587): English colonists, including Virginia Dare, arrived in present-day North Carolina, establishing the first permanent English settlement in the New World.
The Introduction of Tobacco in Europe (late 16th century): Tobacco, brought to Europe from the Americas, gained popularity and began transforming European culture and commerce, leading to the rise of the tobacco industry.
The Construction of the Taj Mahal (1632-1653): In India, the construction of the iconic Taj Mahal commenced during this period, representing an exquisite blend of Islamic, Persian, and Indian architectural styles.
The Pilgrims’ Arrival in Plymouth (1620): A group of English Puritan separatists known as the Pilgrims arrived in Plymouth, Massachusetts, seeking religious freedom. This event played a significant role in the colonization of America.

His patronage:

St. Aloysius Gonzales is widely regarded as the patron saint of youth, students, and young adults. His compassionate nature, unwavering commitment to his faith, and his untimely death at a young age made him an inspirational figure for those navigating the challenges of adolescence and young adulthood. Additionally, he is also considered the patron saint of AIDS patients, due to his association with plague victims and his intercession for those suffering from diseases.

A Different Dream

St. Aloysius Gonzaga, born Luigi Gonzaga, was born in 1568 in Castiglione, Italy. He was the eldest son of the Marquis of Castiglione and heir to the family title. Simply put, Aloysius was from a noble family. As soon as he was born, Aloysius’ parents began to plan for the boy’s future. His mother wanted him to be a priest. His father, however, was determined that his son would become a political figure or a military leader.

When he was five, Aloysius was sent to a military camp to get an early start on his career. His father must have been very happy about this. However, his mother and his tutor were utterly dissatisfied when Aloysius went home using the coarse language of the camp. At the age of seven, Aloysius decided to become a saint and began acting on his decision. He prayed for hours and fasted several times a week.

Fulfilling the Jesuit Dream

Aloysius also made a vow of perpetual virginity. To protect himself from temptation, Aloysius would keep his eyes persistently downcast in the presence of women. When they were on a visit to Spain, Aloysius read the lives of saintly Jesuit missionaries. Inspired by their lives, he decided to become a Jesuit. His father, who was disappointed, and other relatives tried hard to change Aloysius’ mind.

After several years, his father gave him permission. Aloysius gave his large inheritance to his brother, and in November 1585, he joined the Jesuit order at age 17. He set out for Rome, where he presented himself to the Superior General, Claudio Acquaviva, who admitted him to the novitiate of Sant’Andrea. He manifested maturity despite his age and found life as a novice less rigorous than the life he had been living through his own decisions. Nevertheless, he obediently followed the rules of the order and the guidance of his novice master. He went to study at the Roman College and finished his philosophy studies before taking his first vows, after which he immediately went into theology.

A Servant Amid the Plague

In 1591, famine and plague struck Italy. Aloysius actively cared for the victims of the plague. He begged alms for the sick and literally carried those he found in the streets to a nearby hospital. He washed and fed them and prepared them for the sacraments. St. Aloysius Gonzaga taking care of a sick person

Many young Jesuits were becoming sick. The superior forbade Aloysius to return to the hospital. However, he was permitted to work at the hospital of Our Lady of Consolation, which did not treat anyone with contagious diseases. Aloysius obeyed, but he contracted the plague when he cared for a man who had been infected. The young Jesuit’s health worsened and then improved somewhat. But he could not recover fully.

Fever and a cough set in, and he slowly lingered on. He knew he was dying and asked to receive Holy Communion. Two Jesuits watched with him through the night and saw his face change as he held onto a cross and called the name of Jesus. He died soon after, on June 21, 1591. He was canonized in 1726.

5 Interesting Facts About St. Aloysius Gonzaga

St. Aloysius Gonzaga is the patron saint of Catholic youth and plague victims.
St. Aloysius Gonzaga’s first words as a child were the names of Jesus and Mary.
St. Charles Borromeo was the one who gave St. Aloysius Gonzaga his first Holy Communion.
In 1729, Pope Benedict declared St. Aloysius Gonzaga the patron saint of young students.
When he was eight, St. Aloysius Gonzaga fell ill with a disease of the kidneys, which troubled him throughout his life.

Prayer to St. Aloysius Gonzaga

O God, giver of heavenly gifts, who in Saint Aloysius Gonzaga joined penitence to a wonderful innocence of life, grant, through his merits and intercession, that, though we have failed to follow him in innocence, we may imitate him in penitence. Through our Lord Jesus Christ, your Son, who lives and reigns with you in the unity of the Holy Spirit, one God, for ever and ever Amen.