The Diocese of Fort Worth asked parishioners how well they knew St. Aloysius on his feast day, then it gave a brief summary of the highlights of his short life.

“How well do you know St. Aloysius Gonzaga?” the diocese asked in a Tuesday Facebook post. “The young saint received his heavenly reward at the age of 23. His father, Marquis of Castiglione, had big aspirations for Aloysius who would inherit his title and land. However, the future saint felt called in his early childhood to something bigger. Ultimately, he gained his father’s permission to join the Society of Jesus thereby giving up status, power, and wealth in pursuit of a life of poverty, chastity, and obedience.” 

St. Aloysius of Gonzaga was born to a noble family in the year 1568. Franciscan Media confirmed that the boy's father wanted him to join the military and become a hero. But Aloysius felt God's calling more strongly and committed to praying devoutly when he was 7 years old. At age 11, he was heard teaching other children about faith, and he started fasting several days each week. When he was 13, he traveled to Spain with his parents, where he participated in the court of Philip II. The lifestyle he encountered there further disillusioned Aloysius, and he took to reading and learning about the lives of saints for spiritual comfort. 

As part of his devotion to the religious life, Aloysius took a vow of perpetual virginity when he was 9, Catholic.org said. When he reached puberty, he practiced keeping his gaze downcast any time he was around women so that he could stave off sexual desire. When his family moved back to Italy after their time in Spain, Aloysius again focused on teaching the catechism to the poor. 

At 18, Aloysius gave up his inheritance and social status by joining the Jesuits, Britannica said. He spent his remaining years serving others. When the plague arose in Rome, Aloysius voluntarily cared for the sick at a Jesuit hospital. He contracted the plague and died at the age of 23. 

Aloysius was canonized in 1726, and his feast day is celebrated on June 21.