Saint Aloysius Gonzaga Patron of Youth and Purity

A noble and spiritually radiant portrayal of Saint Aloysius Gonzaga (1568–1591), the young Italian Jesuit whose life of purity, sacrifice, and heroic charity made him a universal model for Christian youth. According to Wikipedia, Aloysius was born on 9 March 1568 in Castiglione delle Stiviere into the powerful Gonzaga family, destined for a military career. Yet, as Vatican State notes, he renounced wealth, titles, and inheritance to follow Christ, embracing a life of prayer, penance, and service within the Society of Jesus. Educated at the courts of Florence and Madrid, he took a vow of perpetual chastity at a young age and entered the Jesuit novitiate in Rome. Britannica highlights that during the plague of 1591, Aloysius tirelessly cared for the sick and dying, eventually contracting the disease himself and dying at only 23 years old. Saintapedia emphasizes his reputation for humility, asceticism, and compassion, which made him a symbol of youthful holiness. Canonized in 1726, he is venerated as the patron saint of young students, Christian youth, Jesuit novices, and those suffering from illness, especially AIDS patients and caregivers. His feast is celebrated on 21 June. Ideal for sacred art prints, educational materials, youth ministry, and devotional designs.