St. Aloysius Gonzaga was a flower of piety and purity. Those who met him were impressed by these angelic virtues which he displayed; such depths of virtue were not commonly seen in men so young as he.
But Aloysius had always been exceptional.
He embraced his faith in 1575 at the age of seven; began strict ascetical practices two years later; was thirteen years old when he knew he wished to be a Jesuit; at the age of fifteen, upon announcing his desire for the Jesuit life, he overcame the disapproval of his father and other important people in his life; and finally, arriving at the seminary before his eighteenth birthday, he discovered that the novitiate was not as ascetical as his own former routine had been!
Holy asceticism was one of his great passions. It kept his heart and soul pure, untainted from the decadent court life he’d witnessed as a young nobleman.
But more importantly—Aloysius knew—his guardian angel protected him, encouraged him, and helped him keep a vibrant faith.
The Vocation of Saint Aloysius (Luigi) Gonzaga by Guercino
Aloysius loved the angels. His own angel was very dear and real to him; he invoked his guardian’s aid three times during each day.
This great love for the angels led Aloysius to contemplate them deeply. He wrote down all his meditations, compiling them into his famous Meditations on the Holy Angels. This moving work inspires us to love the angels with its pure, profound, and loving insights into who the angels are, what they do for us, and just how excellent and noble they are.
Our angels never leave us for an instant. They are always waiting to help us—we just have to ask them! Meditations on the Holy Angels will deepen your appreciation and reverence for all the heavenly hosts. You’ll understand why it’s so beneficial to remember your angel all the time! Get your copy today!
