Also known as Aluigi Gonzaga Luigi Gonzaga Memorial 21 June

Profile Italian noble who grew up in a castle, the son of a compulsive gambler. Cousin of Saint Rudolph Acquaviva. Trained from age four as a soldier and courtier. Suffered from kidney disease which he considered a blessing as it left him bed-ridden with time for prayer. While still a boy himself, he taught catechism to poor boys. Received First Communion from Saint Charles Borromeo. At age 18 he signed away his legal claim to his family's lands and title to his brother, and became a Jesuit novice. Spiritual student of Saint Robert Bellarmine. Tended plague victims in Rome in the outbreak of 1591.

Born 9 March 1568 at castle of Castiglione delle Stivieri in Montau, Lombardy, Italy Died 20-21 June 1591 at Rome of plague, fever, and desire to see God; relics entombed under the altar of Saint Ignatius Church, Rome

Beatified 19 October 1605 Pope Paul V (cultus confirmed) 1621 by Pope Gregory XV Canonized 31 December 1726 by Pope Benedict XIII

Patronage against sore eyes ,AIDS care-givers, AIDS patients ,Catholic youth ,Jesuit students, relief from pestilence, teenage children, teenagers, Valmonte, Italy, young people

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