St. Louis Gonzaga, Jesuit, Patron of the Catholic Young

St. Louis Gonzaga (1568-1591) was a Jesuit priest and the patron saint of Catholic youth. Born into a noble Italian family, he renounced his princely inheritance to join the Society of Jesus. As a young Jesuit, he devoted himself to prayer, study, and service to the sick and poor. Renowned for his piety and purity of life, he died at the age of 23 after contracting the plague while caring for victims. St. Louis Gonzaga is venerated as the patron of youth, students, and those devoted to the Eucharist.