The Catholic Defender: St. Aloysius Gonzaga Answered The Call

"Beloved, being very eager to write to you of our common salvation, I found it necessary to write appealing to you to contend for the faith which was once for all delivered to the saints." Jude verse 3
One such Saint who contended for the Faith his whole life long was St. Aloysius who was born in Castiglione Italy.
St. Aloysius first words spoken as a child were the names of Jesus and Mary. What does this say about St. Aloysius parents?
St Paul writes, Children, obey your parents in the Lord, for this is right. "Honor your father and mother" (this is the first commandment with a promise), "that it may be well with you and that you may live long on the earth." Ephesians 6:1-2
St.Paul further adds, "Fathers, do not provoke your children to anger, but bring them up in the discipline and instruction of the Lord." Ephesians 6:4
Like many young people raised at the time, St. Aloysius was geared by his Father to serve as he had lived being a Military man. Something that St. Francis and St. Ignatius Loyola were once raised as well. Like St. Francis and Ignatius Loyola, St. Aloysius felt he had another call. By age 9 St. Aloysius felt the call to live a life of special holiness. Something more than the general Christian at the time, he wanted to join the Lord's "special forces" living a religious life.

He grew up with a certain holiness respecting the importance of women he came in contact with. His Mother had a special influence for him growing up. That is something I learned along the way in my own life.
I remember before ball games I would crank up the music getting myself ready for the game when finally running out on the field, instead of thinking about the game specifically, I might have words in my mind of the songs I listened too. "She's a devil, she's desire, she's an angel" would be there in my mind because I had just listened to this. It was kind of subconscious.
Finally, I became interested in Christian music that radically changed words I listened too that became important for me concerning the opposite sex. It radically helped clean out my mind. Remember, "garbage in garbage out!"
When challenged by the beauty of a lady I came in contact with, I began to understand that her body might be in shape but is her soul! That was St. Aloysius perspective from an early age. He made a vow of virginity from an early age and when he was in contact with the opposite sex, he gave great respect to them.
To avoid temptation, he made it his practice to keep his eyes from looking lustfully at any woman.
At age five, St. Aloysius was sent to a military camp as many did at the time as his father wanted to prepare his son for a military career.
St. Charles Borromeo would give St. Aloysius his first Holy Communion which was his greatest joy. Due to a kidney disease, St. Aloysius would read about the lives of the Saints like St. Francis and Ignatius. He wanted so much to imitate them in his own life. His prayer life helped him grow all the more a disciple of Christ.

This great foundation St. Aloysius was given, even while serving as a page in Spain, he kept up his spirit of devotion and religious mindset. Ultimately, he would become interested in the Jesuits because of his love for their founder, St. Ignatius Loyola.
Back in Italy, St. Aloysius began evangelizing the Catholic faith to the poor he encountered. At 18 he finally was allowed to join the Jesuits after his father realized his son was destined to a higher call.
In 1587 in the area of Milan a great plague hit the entire region. St. Aloysius began to serve in a local hospital where he could help the sick where at age 23, he himself became very sick. He would not recover from this illness as he was called to come home by the King of kings.
St. Robert Bellarmine gave St. Aloysius the Anointing of the Sick and testified the last words spoken by young Aloysius, praising the Holy Name of Jesus.
St. Aloysius ended his life as it began, speaking the Name of Jesus. That is a great witness for us. Praise the Name of Jesus.
Lord, have mercy
Lord, have mercy

Christ, have mercy
Christ, have mercy
Lord, have mercy
Lord, have mercy
God our Father in heaven
have mercy on us
God the Son,
have mercy on us
Redeemer of the world
have mercy on us
God the Holy Spirit
have mercy on us
Holy Trinity, one God
have mercy on us
Jesus, Son of the living God
have mercy on us
Jesus, splendor of the Father
have mercy on us

Jesus, brightness of everlasting light
have mercy on us
Jesus, king of glory
have mercy on us
Jesus, dawn of justice
have mercy on us
Jesus, Son of the Virgin Mary
have mercy on us
Jesus, worthy of our love
have mercy on us
Jesus, worthy of our wonder
have mercy on us
Jesus, mighty God
have mercy on us
Jesus, father of the world to come
have mercy on us
Jesus, prince of peace
have mercy on us
Jesus, all-powerful
have mercy on us
Jesus, pattern of patience
have mercy on us

Jesus, model of obedience
have mercy on us
Jesus, gentle and humble of heart
have mercy on us
Jesus, lover of chastity
have mercy on us
Jesus, lover of us all
have mercy on us
Jesus, God of peace
have mercy on us
Jesus, author of life
have mercy on us
Jesus, model of goodness
have mercy on us
Jesus, seeker of souls
have mercy on us
Jesus, our God
have mercy on us
Jesus, our refuge
have mercy on us
Jesus, father of the poor
have mercy on us
Jesus, treasure of the faithful
have mercy on us

Jesus, Good Shepherd
have mercy on us
Jesus, the true light
have mercy on us
Jesus, eternal wisdom
have mercy on us
Jesus, infinite goodness
have mercy on us
Jesus, our way and our life
have mercy on us
Jesus, joy of angels
have mercy on us
Jesus, king of patriarchs
have mercy on us
Jesus, teacher of apostles
have mercy on us
Jesus, master of evangelists
have mercy on us
Jesus, courage of martyrs
have mercy on us

Jesus, light of confessors
have mercy on us
Jesus, purity of virgins
have mercy on us
Jesus, crown of all saints
have mercy on us
Lord, be merciful
Jesus, save your people
From all evil
Jesus, save your people
From every sin
Jesus, save your people
From the snares of the devil
Jesus, save your people
From your anger
Jesus, save your people
From the spirit of infidelity
Jesus, save your people
From everlasting death
Jesus, save your people
From neglect of your Holy Spirit
Jesus, save your people
By the mystery of your incarnation
Jesus, save your people

By your birth
Jesus, save your people
By your childhood
Jesus, save your people
By your hidden life
Jesus, save your people
By your public ministry
Jesus, save your people
By your agony and crucifixion
Jesus, save your people
By your abandonment
Jesus, save your people
By your grief and sorrow
Jesus, save your people
By your death and burial
Jesus, save your people
By your rising to new life
Jesus, save your people
By your return in glory to the Father
Jesus, save your people

By your gift of the holy Eucharist
Jesus, save your people
By your joy and glory
Jesus, save your-people
Christ, hear us
Christ, hear us
Lord Jesus, hear our prayer
Lord Jesus, hear our prayer
Lamb of God, you take away the sins of the world
have mercy on us
Lamb of God, you take away the sins of the world have mercy on us
Lamb of God, you take away the sins of the world have mercy on us
Let us pray. Lord, may we who honor the holy name of Jesus enjoy his friendship in this life and be filled with eternal joy in the kingdom where he lives and reigns for ever and ever. Amen.