Biography St. Aloysius Gonzaga

St. Aloysius Gonzaga was a Jesuit priest and a member of the nobility in late 16th century Italy. He was born on March 9, 1568, in Castiglione delle Stiviere, Lombardy, Italy, as the eldest of seven children to Ferrante Gonzaga and Marta Tana Santena.

At the age of nine, Aloysius was sent to live with his uncle, the Duke of Mantua, as a page at the court of the Duke. He was educated in the classics, rhetoric, and philosophy at the court, but he felt a call to the religious life from a young age. At the age of 14, he announced to his family that he wanted to become a Jesuit priest.

His family, who were opposed to his decision, sent him to study at a prestigious school in Rome in the hopes that he would change his mind. However, Aloysius remained steadfast in his desire to become a Jesuit, and in 1585, at the age of 17, he was allowed to enter the Society of Jesus as a novice.

He underwent rigorous spiritual and intellectual training and was ordained a priest in 1591 at the age of 23. He was then sent to the Jesuit College in Rome, where he served as a spiritual director to the students.

In 1591, a plague outbreak in Rome and Aloysius volunteered to help the plague victims, despite the danger to his own health. He ministered to the sick and dying, and eventually contracted the plague himself. He died on June 21, 1591 at the age of 23.

St. Aloysius Gonzaga was known for his deep piety and devotion to God, as well as his charitable works. He was canonized by the Catholic Church in 1726 and is considered a model of Christian piety for young people.

He is patron saint of the young, students, and of those suffering from infectious disease and epidemics. His feast day is celebrated on June 21st. His relics are in the Church of St Ignatius of Loyola, Rome.

In art, Saint Aloysius Gonzaga is often depicted wearing a Jesuit robe and holding a rosary, or a skull (symbol of his devotion to the mortification of the flesh and his contemplation of death).

More information about St. Aloysius

Saint Aloysius, the eldest son of Ferdinand Gonzaga, Mar quiz of Castiglione and a gallant soldier, was born on March 9, 1568. The father’s pride was to rear his son to be a soldier. His mother, on the other hand, was very pious, and there seems to have been a special grace about the child from his earliest days. At the age of seven, a wonderful spiritual light dawned upon his soul with so clear an understanding of the things of God, that he later spoke of that time as the period of his conversion.

When nine years old Aloysius made a vow of perpetual virginity, and by a special grace was ever exempted from temptations against purity. It was at Monferrato that Aloysius resolved to become a religious, and he spent much time in prayer and penance. On the feast of Our Lady’s Assumption, 1583, for which he had prepared with great fervor, as he was praying after Holy Communion in the chapel of Our Lady in the of the Jesuits at Madrid, now called St. Isidore of Seville, suddenly of Jesus, and telling him to inform his confessor as a distinct voice came to him, bidding him enter the Society confessor as soon as possible of what had occurred.

His confessor, well aware of his fitness, told him he must first receive his fathers approval. Whilst his mother rejoiced on learning of his determination to become a religious, for three years his father refused his consent. On November 24, 1585, Aloysius entered the Jesuit novitiate, after having obtained his father’s permission. Two years later he took his vows.

Caring for the Sick and Suffering

During his last year of theology a malignant fever broke out in Rome. Thousands were dying of the disease. The Father General of the Society of Jesus summoned Aloysius back to the Eternal City. He often had said that he feared the dignity and responsibility of the priesthood, and would be glad if God would call him while he was still in His grace. His desire was soon to be granted. Father Acquaviva opened a hospital for the poor suffering, starving people. St. Aloysius volunteered for the work.

Not content with begging for alms, he nursed the most loathsome cases. One day on his way to the hospital he found a poor wretch in filthy rags, lying on the ground, stricken by the plague. He raised him up and gently and tenderly carried him to the hospital. The contagion struck the weary youth, and he was forced to take to his bed. Within a week he received the Last Sacraments, rejoicing that he was going to God. He died a little after midnight between the 20th and 21st of June, 1591, the octave-day of Corpus Christi, at the age of twenty-three, while repeating the Holy Name of Jesus.

The Saint’s body, glorified by many miracles, lay for some time in a humble tomb in the “Church of the Annunciation” of the Roman College. It now rests in the Gesu in Rome. St. Aloysius was canonized in 1726 by Pope Benedict XIII, who proclaimed him “Patron of Youth”. Gonzaga University in Washington is named in honor of the blessed saint.

 

Prayers to St. Aloysius Gonzaga

Prayer of intercession as you put on the St. Aloysius Gonzaga Medal

Saint Aloysius, adorned with angelical manners, although I am thy unworthy servant, I recommend to thee in an especial manner the chastity of my soul and body; I conjure thee, by thy angelical purity, to commend me to Jesus Christ, the spotless Lamb, and to His most holy Mother, the Virgin of virgins. Preserve me from every grievous sin; never suffer me to sully my soul with any impurity; whenever thou seest me in temptation or danger of sin, ward off from me every impure thought and affection, and awakening in me the remembrance of eternity and of Jesus crucified, imprint deeply in my heart the sentiment of the fear of God. Inflame me with divine love, in order that by imitating thee on earth, I may merit to enjoy God with thee in heaven. Amen.

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Prayer to Mary (Written by St. Aloysius Gonzaga

O holy Mary, my Mistress into thy blessed trust and special keeping, into the bosom of thy tender mercy, this day, every day of my life and at the hour of my death, I commend my soul and body; to thee I entrust all my hopes and consolations, all my trials and miseries, my life and the end of my life, that through thy most holy intercession and thy merits, all my actions may be ordered and disposed according to thy will and that of thy divine Son.
Amen.

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Popular St. Aloysius Gonzaga Items

A St. Aloysius Gonzaga Medal or a St. Aloysius rosary is a perfect gift to give to a young man who has chosen St. Aloysius as their confirmation name. As the patron saint of Catholic school students, wearing a St. Gonzaga medal daily is a perpetual prayer for St. Aloysius to intercede on behalf of the wearer. As saints are united closer to God, their prayers are more efficacious, and enriches your own prayer.

Additionally, a Saint Aloysius Gonzaga pendant is a reminder to emulate the example of the holy saint as you conduct your studies and live your daily life. What a beautiful testament of faith to share with the world, or to keep discretely tucked under your clothes. During the challenging moments of your day, reflect upon the holy life of St. Aloysius Gonzaga and pray for their intercession and protection.

St. Aloysius Gonzagais the patron saint of Catholic school students, Jesuit scholars

St. Aloysius Gonzaga is the patron saint of youth and students. He was born into a noble family in Italy in 1568 and at a young age decided to become a Jesuit priest. He is known for his devotion to God and his work with plague-stricken patients, as well as his dedication to serving the poor and marginalized. He died at the age of 23, and was canonized in 1726. He is often invoked by students and young people for guidance and inspiration. “

Reflection on the feast day of St. Aloysius Gonzaga

The feast day of St. Aloysius Gonzaga is June 21st.

St. Aloysius Gonzaga, also known as Aloysius of Gonzaga, was a young Jesuit who lived in the late 16th and early 17th centuries. He is remembered for his devotion to God, his dedication to serving others, and his willingness to sacrifice his own life for the sake of others.

One of the main lessons we can learn from St. Aloysius Gonzaga is the importance of devotion to God. Aloysius was deeply devout from a young age, and his faith was the driving force behind all of his actions. He was known for spending hours in prayer and for his deep love for the Eucharist. This devotion to God is something that we can all strive for in our own lives.

Another important lesson from St. Aloysius Gonzaga is the importance of serving others. Aloysius was known for his selflessness and his willingness to put the needs of others before his own. He would often spend time visiting the sick and the poor, and he was always willing to help anyone in need. This is a powerful example of what it means to live a life of service, and it is something that we can all strive to emulate in our own lives.

A final lesson we can learn from St. Aloysius Gonzaga is the importance of sacrifice. Aloysius was willing to sacrifice his own life for the sake of others, and he ultimately died at a young age while caring for the victims of a plague outbreak. This willingness to sacrifice is a powerful reminder that sometimes the greatest acts of love are the ones that require us to give up something of ourselves.

In conclusion, St. Aloysius Gonzaga is a powerful example of what it means to live a life devoted to God, dedicated to serving others, and willing to make sacrifices for the sake of others. On his feast day, let us remember his example and strive to follow in his footsteps.

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Saints Similar to St. Aloysius Gonzaga

You may also be interested in reading the St. Stanislaus Kostka. St. Aloysius Gonzaga and St. Stanislaus Kostka were both young Jesuit saints known for their piety and devotion. Both entered the Jesuit novitiate at a young age and lived lives of prayer and self-discipline. They are often considered as examples of youthful holiness within the Society of Jesus. Next up: Biography of St. Alphonsa

 

Also check out our handmade St. Aloysius Gonzaga Medal and St. Aloysius Gonzaga Rosary and St. Aloysius Gonzaga Rosary Bracelet.