Post #6072

SAINT LOUIS GONZAGUE, CLERIC OF THE SOCIETY OF JESUS AND CONFESSOR, HEVEANLY PATRON OF THE WHOLE CHRISTIAN YOUTH Louis, firstborn son of Ferrante (or Ferdinando) Gonzague marquis of Castiglione delle Stiviere and of Marta Tana di Chieri, he was born in the family castle of Castiglione, the 9th of March 1568. Having been rushed the baptism for the danger of life, and therefore seemed born first in Heaven than on Earth, he conserved the baptismal grace with such faithfulness, seeming being confirmed in it. Still a child, all those who carried on the arms believed of carrying an angel. Since the first use of reason, in which he immediately offered himself to God, he led each day more holyly. At 9 years old, in Florence, in the Basilica dell’Annunziata, in front of the altar of the Blessed Virgin Most Holy Mary, who considered her like a mother, he made perpetual vow of virginity; and, for distinguished favour of God, he conserved it without feeling any kind of rebellion of spirit or of flesh.