SAINT ALOYSIUS GONZAGA
Confessor

Aloysius Gonzaga (1568-91) was chosen by Pope Benedict XIII and again in this century, by Pope Pius XI, as the patron of youth. Turning resolutely aside from the turbulent manner of living of the Gonzaga clan, he entered the Society of Jesus. During his six years as a Jesuit, Aloysius explained the catechism to ragamuffins in the poor Trastevere district of Rome, and constantly begged his superiors for permission to visit the city's hospitals and prisons. It was in a hospital ward that the saint of youth caught the plague from a contagious patient whom he had held in his arms while the man was dying.

ENTRANCE HYMN Ps. 8:6
You have made him a little less than the angels, You have crowned him with glory and honor.
Ps. 148:2. Praise the Lord, all you His angels, praise Him, all you His hosts.
V. Glory be . . .

PRAYER
O God, among the gifts of heaven bestowed upon the angelic youth, Aloysius, You united a wondrous innocence to his exceptional spirit of penance. Although we have not followed his path of innocence, may we at least imitate his penance through his own merits and prayers. Through our Lord . . .

READING Eccli. 31:8-11 [Sirach]
Blessed is the man that is found without blemish: and that hath not gone after gold, nor put his trust in money nor in treasures. Who is he, and we will praise him? for he hath done wonderful things in his life. Who hath been tried thereby, and made perfect, he shall have glory everlasting. He that could have transgressed, and hath not transgressed: and could do evil things, and hath not done them: Therefore are his goods established in the Lord.

GRADUAL Ps. 70:5-6; 40:13
O Lord, You are my hope from my youth; in You I have been strengthened since my birth; You have been my protector from my mother's womb.
V. Because of my innocence You have supported me and have placed me in Your sight forever.

Alleluia, alleluia! V. Ps. 64:5
Blessed is he whom You have chosen and taken to dwell in Your courts. Alleluia!

GOSPEL Matt. 22:29-40
At that time, Jesus answering, said to them: "You err, not knowing the Scriptures nor the power of God. For in the resurrection they shall neither marry nor be married, but shall be as the angels of God in heaven. And concerning the resurrection of the dead, have you not read that which was spoken by God, saying to you: 'I am the God of Abraham and the God of Isaac and the God of Jacob?' He is not the God of the dead but of the living." And the multitudes hearing it were in admiration at his doctrine. But the Pharisees, hearing that he had silenced the Sadducees, came together. And one of them, a doctor of the law, asked him, tempting him: "Master, which is the great commandment in the law?" Jesus said to him: " 'Thou shalt love the Lord thy God with thy whole heart and with thy whole soul and with thy whole mind.' This is the greatest and the first commandment. And the second is like to this: 'Thou shalt love thy neighbour as thyself.' On these two commandments dependeth the whole law and the prophets."

OFFERTORY HYMN Ps. 23:3-4
Who can ascend the mountain of the Lord? or who may stand in His holy place? He whose hands are sinless, whose heart is clean.

SECRET PRAYER
O Lord, may we approach the banquet of heaven dressed in the wedding garment of priceless pearls such as blessed Aloysius prepared for himself by his devotion and sorrow. Through our Lord . . .

COMMUNION HYMN Ps. 77:24-25
He gave them the Bread of Heaven, and man ate the Bread of Angels.

POSTCOMMUNION PRAYER
O Lord, may we who have been nourished by the Food of Angels also live like angels and follow the example of the saint whom we honor this day by always being grateful to You. Through our Lord . . .