The Diocese of Pensacola-Tallahassee on Tuesday honored St. Aloysius, patron saint of Catholic youth, who at a young age became disillusioned with some human expectations and instead followed his heart to become a Jesuit.

“Today we remember St. Aloysius, a 16th century Italian noble,” the diocese posted on Facebook. “He had a great desire to know and serve God, even from a young age. He described the nobility of Florence as a society ‘of fraud, dagger, poison and lust of the most hideous kind.’” 

St. Aloysius of Gonzaga’s father wanted him to join the military and become a hero, but Aloysius felt God's calling from a very young age, Franciscan Media said. He began praying devoutly by the time he was 7 years old, and within a few years he was teaching other children about faith and was fasting several days every week. At 13, he traveled to Spain with his parents, where he participated in the court of Philip II. Court life made Aloysius even more disillusioned with human traditions and societal expectations, so he turned to reading and learning about the lives of saints to restore some comfort in his life. 

When he was 9, Aloysius took a vow to maintain his virginity throughout his life, Catholic.org said. As one way to keep from giving in to sexual desires, he would keep his gaze downcast any time he was among women. His family moved back to Italy after a few years in Spain, and Aloysius resumed teaching the catechism to the poor. 

Upon reaching adulthood, Aloysius gave up his inheritance and social status when he joined the Jesuits, and he ministered to others; Britannica said. When the plague hit Rome, he volunteered to care for the sick at a Jesuit hospital. He contracted the plague through his contact with others who were ill, and he died at the age of 23. 

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

“St. Aloysius, thank you for your sacrifice,” the diocese said in its post. “Please pray for us!”