Roman Catholics observe Tuesday, June 21, the feast day of Saint Aloysius Gonzaga, the patron saint of the Christian youth.
The revered Italian saint remains well venerated in many countries including the Philippines.
At the St. Louis University Saint Aloysius Gonzaga Parish in Baguio City, a feast mass in honor of their patron saint will be offered at 8:30 a.m. to coincide with the Golden Jubilee of the parish. Novena masses were held from June 12 to 20.
In Rome, Italy, pilgrims and devotees visit the Church of St. Ignatius, where the well-venerated saint was buried.
Born on March 9, 1568, in a castle in Castiglione, Italy, St. Aloysius’ first spoken words were the holy names of Jesus and Mary. He taught catechism to poor children and was a great devotee of the Blessed Mother. In 1591, while serving the sick as a Jesuit student during a plague in Milan, Italy, he contracted the disease and died at the young age of 23.
St. Robert Bellarmine, his confessor and author of his biography said, “The youth can learn from St. Aloysius’ example of humility, selflessness, compassion, and complete detachment from material wealth.” Canonized on December 31, 1726, by Pope Benedict XIII, the pontiff declared him as the patron saint of young students in 1729.
In 1926, St. Aloysius was named the patron saint of the Christian youth by Pope Pius XI.