“It is better to be a child of God than king of the whole world.”
-Saint Aloysius Gonzaga
Today’s saint is an inspiring man who chose love and service over status and comfort. Aloysius Gonzaga was born into a wealthy Italian family with the expectation of becoming a soldier like his father. However, God had other plans for him, and very quickly, Aloysius was drawn to prayer, sacrifice, and service.
His father sent him to military camp when he was five years old, where young Aloysius picked up some colorful language from the soldiers. At an age of seven, he realized it wasn’t for the better and turned inward to a life of prayer to combat the bad habits he acquired from the soldiers.
This turning point was quite the opposite of what his father had wanted for him. He wanted him to be a tough, disciplined soldier who would inherit his wealth and become successful and famous. Aloysius did do these things, but he did them how his heavenly Father wanted him to. His prayer life became strong; he became very disciplined in his faith; he became a soldier of Christ.
At the age of seventeen, he renounced his inheritance and joined the Society of Jesus (the Jesuits), choosing a life of humility and devotion. During a plague outbreak in Rome, he volunteered to care for the sick and show the hopeless Christ’s love. He contracted the disease himself shortly after and died at the age of 23.
Saint Aloysius Gonzaga is the patron of Christian youth. He is a powerful symbol of courage and compassion–someone who put love and service before all else.
Today we pray for young people seeking purpose and purity of heart, may they be inspired by the life of Saint Aloysius Gonzaga to serve with compassion and courage. We also pray for the strength to overcome all distractions and sin, so we may better live out our vocations.
In the name of the Father, and the Son, and the Holy Spirit. Amen.
Our Father, we humbly gather in Your presence, seeking the intercession of St. Aloysius Gonzaga. May his purity and devotion inspire us to live a life dedicated to You. Grant us the strength to serve others selflessly and the grace to draw ever closer to Your heart. Amen.
Saint Aloysius Gonzaga, pray for us!
In the name of the Father, and the Son, and the Holy Spirit. Amen.
Tomorrow’s saint of the day is St. Thomas More.
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