Aristocrat's Son Makes Good

Aloysius Gonzaga was the eldest son of an aristocrat who wanted him to be a soldier. The boy, on the other hand, embraced a life of severe austerity and penance and became a Jesuit novice at the age of 16.

Five years later, a local plague epidemic broke out in Rome and though still a novice, Aloysius worked hard caring for the sick in the hospital until he himself caught the plague. His determination to die for the faith having been fulfilled, he died at midnight June 20, 1591 with the name of Jesus on his lips.