St.Aloysius Gonzaga

Born on 9 March 1568 at the castle of Castiglione delle Stivieri in Montau, Lombardy, Italy.

Italian noble who grew up in a castle, the son of a compulsive gambler.
Trained from age 4 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, instructed poor boys in their catechism.
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.

Died 20-21 June 1591 at Rome of plague, fever, and desire to see God; relics under the altar of Saint Ignatius Church, Rome

Canonized in 1726.