St. Aloysius Gonzaga

St. Aloysius Gonzaga was born in to the world of royal courts and high ranking military officials. Though his father desired him to join the military, Aloysius showed from a very young age that he followed orders from a "higher" authority. At the age of 11, Aloysius spent his time teaching the Catholic faith to poor children in the villages, fasting and spend several hours deep in prayer. He wanted to serve God and longed to joining the Jesuit missionaries. After a four-year debate with his father, he was finally allowed to join the Jesuits. He prayed so powerfully that he was asked to take breaks and participate in recreation. He also fasted so much that he had to be forced to eat more. He eventually went to serve in a Jesuit hospital and contracted an illness that made him weak and unable to leave his bed. He never stopped praying and died of the age of 23.

St Aloysius Gonzaga, pray for us!