Homily: June 21 - St. Aloysius Gonzaga - For the greater glory of God

 The young saint, Aloysius Gonzaga once said, “He who wishes to love God does not truly love Him if he has not an ardent and constant desire to suffer for his sake.” And in his short life of just 23 years, Aloysius suffered much, particularly in his relentless efforts of loving those in need.

As the eldest son of an aristocratic family in Florence Italy, in 1568, Aloysius would have inherited the great wealth of his family.  Growing up in 16th-century Italy was not that different from growing up in 21st century America.  It was a lax, morally careless, self-indulgent age. And at the age of seven, though he having been to exposed to society’s corruption, brutality and lust, Aloysius had a profound spiritual awakening. 

By age 11 he was teaching catechism to poor children, fasting three days a week and practicing great austerities. After reading a book about Jesuit missionaries in India, Aloysius announced his desire to be a priest in the Society of Jesus, though it took four years for him to obtain permission from his father, who had more worldly dreams for his son.

Aloysius saw the decadence around him and vowed not to be part of it.   So he joined the Jesuits. 

In 1591, a catastrophic plague struck Rome and the Jesuits opened up a hospital.  The young Jesuit novice, Aloysius, nursed patients, washed them and made their beds, carried them on his shoulders.  As a result of his tireless care of the sick, Aloysius caught the disease himself. He was overcome with a great fever, and though he could scarcely rise from bed, he maintained a great discipline in prayer.  He died at the age of 23 in 1591.

He was beatified by Pope Paul V in 1605. 

 He is the patron saint of catholic youth and teenagers, and also AIDS patients and their care-givers. Would that we all were dedicated to helping our young people form hearts like St. Aloysius! He is often shown in sacred art and statues as a young man wearing the black cassock of the Jesuits and contemplating a crucifix or praying to the Blessed Virgin. Here is a beautiful prayer he himself authored commending himself to the Blessed Mother: O Holy Mary, my Lady, into your blessed trust and safe keeping and into the depths of your mercy, I commend my soul and body this day, every day of my life, and at the hour of my death. To you I entrust all my hopes and consolations, all my trials and miseries, my life and the end of my life. By your most holy intercession and by your merits, may all my actions be directed and disposed according to your will and the Will of your divine Son.

St. Aloysius took seriously the motto of the Jesuits: Ad maiorem Dei gloriam, For the greater glory of God. Through the intercession of St. Aloysius, may each of us consider how God is calling us to grow in holiness, in our efforts to serve the needy, in our willingness to suffer for the kingdom, for the glory of God and salvation of souls.