Aloysius Gonzaga, Saint
Aloysius Gonzaga, Saint
Confessor born Castiglione, Italy , 1568; died Rome, Italy , 1591. The son of a princely family, he was educated at the courts of the Medici of Florence and of Philip II of Spain. Returning to Italy , he renounced his inheritance in favor of his brother, and entered the Society of Jesus, 1585. He distinguished himself in philosophy and theology, and pronounced his vows, 1587 . In 1591 , when famine and pestilence spread through Italy , he devoted himself to the care of the sick, was stricken, and died . Devotion to him is widespread, and the practise of receiving communion on six successive Sundays is observed in his honor. Patron of young Catholic students. Invoked against sore eyes and pestilence. Canonized , 1726. Relics in church of Saint Ignazio, Rome. Feast , Roman Calendar, 21 June .
Fuente: New Catholic Dictionary
Aloysius Gonzaga, Saint
Born in the castle of Castiglione, 9 March, 1568; died 21 June, 1591. At eight he was placed in the court of Francesco de’Medici in Florence, where he remained for two years, going then to Mantua. At Brescia, when he was twelve, he came under the spiritual guidance of St. Charles Borromeo, and from him received First Communion. In 1581 he went with his father to Spain, and he and his brother were made pages of James, the son of Philip II. While there he formed the resolution of becoming a Jesuit, though he first thought of joining the Discalced Carmelites. He returned to Italy in 1584 after the death of the Infanta, and after much difficulty in securing his father’s consent, renounced his heritage in favour of his brother, 2 November, 1585, a proceeding which required the approval of the emperor, as Castiglione was a fief of the empire. He presented himself to Father Claudius Acquaviva, who was then General of the Society, 25 November, 1585. Before the end of his novitiate, he passed a brilliant public act in philosophy, having made his philosophical and also his mathematical studies before his entrance. He had in fact distinguished himself, when in Spain, by a public examination not only in philosophy, but also in theology, at the University of Alcalá. He made his vows 25 November, 1587. Immediately after, he began his theological studies. Among his professors were Fathers Vasquez and Azor. In 1591 when in his fourth year of theology a famine and pestilence broke out in Italy. Though in delicate health, he devoted himself to the care of the sick, but on March 3 he fell ill and died 21 June, 1591. He was beatified by Gregory XV in 1621 and canonized by Benedict XIII in 1726. His remains are in the church of St. Ignazio in Rome in a magnificent urn of lapis lazuli wreathed with festoons of silver. The altar has for its centerpiece a large marble relief of the Saint by Le Gros.
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J. F. X. O’CONOR Transcribed by Dave Ofstead
The Catholic Encyclopedia, Volume ICopyright © 1907 by Robert Appleton CompanyOnline Edition Copyright © 2003 by K. KnightNihil Obstat, March 1, 1907. Remy Lafort, S.T.D., CensorImprimatur. +John Cardinal Farley, Archbishop of New York