(1568-1591) Saint Aloysius grew up in the castle of his Italian noble family, and his father was a compulsive gambler. Although he was trained to be a courier and soldier from a young age, Alousius preferred to teach catechism to poor boys. He received his first Communion from Saint Charles Borromeo and was a student of Saint Robert Bellarmine, two of the great heroes of Catholic reform in response to the Protestant Reformation. Aloysius became a Jesuit novice at eighteen, and a few years later, tended to plague victims. He died of the plague at 23.

Saint Aloysius, having experienced a parent with addiction, could be a good patron for families. In spite of family dysfunction, his faith was the driving force of his life. How has the dysfunction of unhealthy attachments affected your family of origin or current family? Can recovery and healing become a catalyst for spiritual awakening?

“There is no more evident sign that anyone is a saint and of the number of the elect, than to see him leading a good life and at the same time a prey to desolation, suffering, and trials” (Saint Aloysius Gonzaga).