History

St. Aloysius of Gonzaga

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

St. Aloysius of Gonzaga (St. Louis) Parish

First built in 1871, Saint Louis has a rich heritage of French parishioners. Named after the Patron Saint of Catholic Youth, Saint Aloysius born Luigi Gonzaga, this church headed by Father Milette started a very popular parochial school to compliment the parish. Other property included from this church includes donated land used to create Nashua's first hospital, Saint Joseph Hospital. The church burned down in 1976 leaving only the shortest steeple.