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
AIDS care-givers; AIDS patients; Catholic youth; Jesuit students; relief from pestilence; sore eyes; teenage children; teenagers; young people
Actually, Dona reading your other comments you may have been just before my time there (I was there late 80's). It's funny to read how many different generations of Pines employees have all posted the exact same experiences though.
I really hate to say this, but the book I just finished on Danver's said that some of the really older patients actually walked around in their area naked; which I thought was very shocking. People got committed many years ago for things today we wouldn't bat aneye for; like hitting too much, arguing, or just getting in minor trouble. Some were as young as 6 and they lived their whole lives there. Since it was the only home they ever knew, alot never even wanted to leave.