St. Aloysius Gonzaga (His first name is pronounced al-oh-ISH-uh s), excelled in the virtues of piety, temperance, and purity during his short life of 23 years.

The Childhood of St. Aloysius Gonzaga

He was the firstborn son in a noble family. His father was Ferrante Gonzaga, who led a soldier’s life. He was the Marquis of Castiglione, which is an ancient seaside village in Tuscany, Italy.

Legend tells us that the first words Aloysius pronounced as a baby were Jesus and Mary. At age 4, Aloysius was given a soldier’s uniform by his father and brought to a military camp of about 3,000 men. His father believed it was his son’s destiny to become a soldier like himself, and he felt that if he left the boy with his mother and nursemaids any longer, he would be too soft for the hard life of a soldier.

While at this camp Aloysius learned to repeat foul language. He also had two accidents with gun powder. In the first incident he burned his face, and the second incident nearly killed him. He always believed it was God’s providence he lived that day. Of course, his father sent him back to Castiglione after that. This was the end of the soldier’s life for Aloysius, which he later referred to as a sinful life.

Back in Castiglione he began altar serving Masses and being formally instructed in the faith. He recited many vocal prayers every day, including the Little Office of the Blessed Virgin and the Penitential Psalms. When he was only 9 years old, Aloysius made a personal vow of perpetual virginity. As a result, God gave him a special grace of protection over temptations against his purity. At an early age he received a vision from the Virgin Mary inviting him to join the Society of Jesus.

The Virtues of St. Aloysius Gonzaga

This early desire for holiness and piety only increased over time. At age 12 Aloysius received his first Communion from St. Robert Bellarmine, who later said that the young saint’s abandonment and submission to God’s will from such a young age was a wonderful grace from God. In his early teens Aloysius adopted his own program of religious exercises, and they were quite severe. He would kneel on the stone floor of his room for hours while praying and give himself harsh penances when he sinned. He believed he had to govern himself strictly with self-discipline.

The Family of St. Aloysius Gonzaga

His family had a reputation in Castiglione and throughout Italy as having short tempers. Many of his relatives before him would give themselves over to their passions, nursing grudges and exploding in violent speech and actions. The tempers of his relatives were so well known that it was impossible for him to disassociate with them. This was part of what caused young Aloysius to desire severe penances for himself so as not to exhibit anger or pride in himself when he was provoked. Aloysius believed that doing constant penances kept him mindful of the need for virtue despite his emotions.

His Desire to Become a Priest

His mother was delighted for him to enter the Society of Jesus to become a priest, but his father refused to give his consent. As a boy, Aloysius grew his devotion to the Virgin Mary and the Eucharist. He was encouraged to receive Communion and go to confession frequently.

The day before every Communion, Aloysius would prepare himself with prayer, spiritual reading, and meditations on the mystery of Christ’s presence in the Blessed Sacrament.

After Waiting Three Years His Father Consents

After three years of waiting, Aloysius’ father finally did give permission for him to enter the novitiate, and on November 25, 1585, Aloysius renounced his inheritance, giving it to his younger brother, and he entered. When he joined the Jesuits in Rome, he was under the direction of St. Robert Bellarmine. When Aloysius explained to him his religious practices, Bellarmine told him this was too harsh, and he instructed him to give them up.

The Plague in Rome

At first Aloysius thought it was too easy, but he learned over time that St. Bellarmine’s way was much better for his growth in virtue and holiness. After his first two years of study, Aloysius made vows. In his last year of theology, a plague broke out in Rome. He offered to serve the sick along with some of his religious brothers. Eventually he caught the fever. He was severely ill, but managed to recover.

But St. Aloyisius Gonzaga again fell into a long illness for three months of fever. He died with the Holy Name of Jesus on his lips on the octave of the Feast of Corpus Christi at the age of 23.

Prayer for the Intercession of St. Aloysius

St Aloysius, poor in spirit, we turn to you with trust, blessing the heavenly Father, because in you He has offered us eloquent proof of His merciful love. Humble and confident adorer of the designs of the divine Heart, since adolescence you have stripped yourself of every worldly honor and every earthly fortune. You have put on the sackcloth of perfect chastity, you have walked the path of obedience, you have made yourself poor to serve God, offering everything to Him out of love. Amen.

St. Aloysius Gonzaga, pray for us!
Sacred Heart of Jesus, have mercy on us!
Immaculate Heart of Mary, pray for us!