Louis Gonzaga (1568–1591)

Biography

His mother raised him Christianly and it didn't take long for Luis to show unusual inclinations for virtue. He was twelve years old, when the authors say that at that age he had already reached the peak of contemplation. He spent long hours absorbed in prayer and divine treatment. He fled whenever he could from all the worldly pastimes and all the celebrations that naturally abounded in his environment and in his own home. A servant says that when they called him with his title of prince and lord, he told them with great kindness: "Serving God is much more glorious than possessing all the principalities of the earth." He was the heir to the Principality of Mantua and Prince of the Holy Empire. With his extraordinary virtue he had astonished the courts of Madrid, Florence, Pavia, Mantua... and despite this he did not feel attracted by so many vanities, and he used to repeat: "What is all this for eternity? Lord, help me never forget the purpose for which you have created me." Everywhere he showed signs of maturity of judgment beyond his years, as well as high holiness. He imitated the examples of the saints as described in the writings of that time. What was admirable about Luis was the extraordinary tenacity and willpower with which he followed the indications of God's will. He had the gift of prayer, with God being his main and even his only Teacher. In 1583 he entered the Company of Jesus. He was quick-witted and perceptive and excelled in his studies of Philosophy and Theology. He died at the age of 23 in 1591 before reaching the priesthood and was beatified by Pope Gregory XV, in 1727 he was canonized and in 1926, Pope Pius XI named him Patron of Christian Youth.