St. Aloysius Gonzaga

Aloysius, the son of Marquis Ferrante of Castiglione was born on March 9, 1568. His father served Philip II of Spain and at the age of eight, as was the custom among noble families, Aloysius was sent to the court of a nobleman in Florence. Later he lived at Brescia and there received his First Communion at age twelve from St. Charles Borromeo. In 1581, he became a page to the king of Spain’s son. During his time as a page, he felt called to the religious life and decided to join the Jesuits. His father had plans for a secular career for him, but finally reluctantly consented to his entrance and Aloysius entered the Jesuit novitiate in Rome in November 1585. He had already shown himself a brilliant student and he passed the philosophy exam while still a novice. After making his first vows in 1587, he began his theological studies in preparation for the priesthood. In 1591, pestilence and famine struck Italy. Although he had been in ill health for several years, Aloysius gladly served the sick in the hospital set up by his order; he caught the plague as a result and passed from this life on June 21, 1591. He was canonized in 1726. Pope Pius XI declared him a patron of Catholic youth. His feast is celebrated on June 21.