June 21: ST. ALOYSIUS GONZAGA, Religious

St. Aloysius (Luigi) Gonzaga (1568-1591) was born at his family’s castle in Castiglione delle Stiviere, between Brescia and Mantova in northern Italy in what was then part of the Duchy of Mantua. In November 1585, Aloysius gave up all rights of inheritance, went to Rome and joined the Society of Jesus. Well known for his asceticism and spiritual life, he died in Rome at the service of persons infected by the plague.

“The clean of hands and pure of heart shall climb the mountain of the Lord, and stand in his holy place.”

COLLECT
O God, giver of heavenly gifts, who in Saint Aloysius Gonzaga joined penitence to a wonderful innocence of life, grant, through his merits and intercession that, though we have failed to follow him in innocence, we may imitate him in penitence. Through our Lord.

CREDIT: By Carlo Francesco Nuvolone – http://www.gesuiti.it, Public Domain, https://commons.wikimedia.org/w/index.php?curid=10328609