WHAT WILL IT BE WORTH TO ETERNITY

 

PATRON OF YOUTH
MOTTO :
 
Born : March 9, 1568, in Castiglione delle Stiviere, Republic of Venice [Present-Day Italy]
Died : June 21, 1591, in Rome
Canonized : 1726
Feast day : June 21
 
Saint Aloysius Gonzaga was born on 9 March, 1568 in Castiglione delle Stiviere, Spain to a wealthy and noble Spanish family. He was raised in a castle in present day France, where he quickly became friends with people of all ages. Although his family was Roman Catholic, they were also a prominent military family. His father, Farrante, was the Marquis of Castiglione who was in service to King Philip II, and his mother, Martha de Santena, came from noblility as well. Saint Aloysius was a cheerful and studious good boy who wanted to become a soldier, but God had a different plan for him. Although he was always a devout boy, Aloysius desired to be a soldier in his early childhood. When Aloysius was 12 years old, he received his First Holy Communion. He was extremely proud and received Our Lord for the first time in Holy Eucharist from the hands of Saint Charles Borromeo, his mentor, who had taught him his catechism. From this day on, whenever Aloysius received Holy Communion, he was always covered in tears. He believed that to be a good soldier for Spain, one must also be a good soldier for Christ. Once, while Aloysius witnessed an exorcism, a demon pointed at young Aloysius and cried, "Do you see him? He will be in heaven one day, and be in great glory." When he grew to be a little older, his father sent him from Spain to Italy to train with Europe's Soldiers. Although Saint Aloysius was learning many new and exciting things, he was also learning the same habits of many crude and immoral soldiers. Aloysius wanted to be a soldier more than anything in the world and he believed that if he acted and spoke the same way that the soldiers did, he would become a great hero. Aloysius was about to learn, and teach us, that just because some people, or everyone does something, that does not make it moral.
 
Aloysius was only nine-years-old when he realized that God was calling him. One day, when Aloysius was with his mother, he used imporoper language. Disgusted at the idea that her son used those words, Aloysius' mother told him to never use such language again and explained to him what they meant. Young Aloysius apologized, and told his mother that he did not know that those words meant such horrible things. He promised to never use them again because he now knew that they truly offended God. After promising his earthly mother, Aloysius went to Christ's Mother and promised her that he would never again do or use those evil terms or actions no matter what the cost! From then on, he decided that he wanted to join a religious society and became extremely devout. He even would spend his free time in prayer while kneeling on a cold stone floor in front of the Blessed Sacrament. The Holy Sacrifice of the Mass became a vital necessity to his survival. For all his love of God, Aloysius was mocked by the soldiers and his classmates, but he did not care! This was one of Aloysius' main milestones in his short life because from then on, Aloysius strived to be completely pure in body, heart, and soul. Then, after reading about Jesuit Missionaries in India, Aloysius decided that his calling was to become a member of the Society of Jesus. While at Casale-Monferat, his winter residence, Aloysisus fasted three days a week, scourged himself, and remained awake all-night-long praying on his cold stone floor.
 
When Aloysius was a teenager, his love for God and God's Creations only increased. Instead of being able to fulfill his father's plan for his life as a soldier, Aloysius became bedridden with a kidney disease. This illness brought great joy to Aloysius, because he could pray and meditate more. When he became well enough to walk, his parents became angry when he refused to become a Page in the court of Spain. At only 11-years-old, Aloysius taught catechism to the poorest of the poor instead of holding a position in the court of Spain. After Aloysius had been sick for six months, he explained to his parents that he wanted to become a Jesuit. This made them very disappointed because Aloysius was supposed to become a great and heroic noble soldier. For three years, he battled his parents with his decision and after signing over all his inheritance to his younger brother, Ripolpho, his parents finally agreed. Aloysius was now 18 and he was able to follow his heart because he had faith and he believed that God was calling him, so he did not need to worry. He entered into the Jesuit School in Rome, Italy. While at the school, he quickly created a bond with Saint Robert Bellarmine because of their holiness and devotion. Aloysius began his journey as a novitiate in November, 1585. Once, while at the Jesuit school, Aloysius asked his confessor, Saint Robert Bellarmine, if one could avoid purgatory after death. Saint Robert explained to him that it was possible and his words inspired Aloysius to strive for the Kingdom of Heaven.
 
In 1579, Saint Aloysius received a vision in which the Archangel Gabriel told him that he would die soon. In 1587, while in Milan, though still ill, Aloysius insisted on caring for the sick. At that time, the Plague had struck Italy but Aloysius was determined to help others. Although the Jesuits did all that they could to keep Aloysius alive because they loved him, he died of the Plague on 21 June, 1591. I wish to choose Saint Aloysius Gonzaga as my Confirmation Saint because I have seen so many bad things happen in the world and I believe that he can help us. He will also help me to decide my vocation. Saint Aloysius was a true soldier and hero because he never allowed anything to separate him from Christ.
 
Saint Aloysius Gonzaga, Pray for Us!