Jun
21
St. Aloysius Gonzaga
June 21, 2008 |
We have much to learn from St. Aloysius Gonzaga (Italy, 1568-1591). He was a child of one of the most powerful families in Italy. He could have indulged in the luxuries of the time but chose instead to follow Christ.
He joined the Jesuits as a teenager and at times was almost too zealous in his piety. His spiritual director was St. Robert Bellarmine, who succeeded in tempering that zeal and making him into a great servant of God.
His moment in time came at the age of 23, when a plague hit Italy. Many religious were sent into the hospitals to care for the sick, but St. Aloysius went several steps further. He went into the streets and brought the sick to the hospitals for care. He was continually and unceasingly in contact with the dying. And he had to know enough to realize that it was just a matter of time.
And that time came. He fell ill and went to join all of those whose last moments were spent with this most holy of men comforting them.
He was a man to emulate. His priorities were straight on. His piety was as holy as it gets. His bravery in the face of deadly odds was unquestioned. He lived as a true man of God.
