Engraving of Saint Aloysius Gonzaga de [Roman Catholic] [Prayer Card] [Holy Card] - [c. 1850]

York: Confitt, [c. 1850]. Loose_leaf. Near Fine. 3 5/8 x 5 1/4 inches. Lightly foxed on reverse, though not noticeable on front. Gonzaga was an Italian Jesuit and Roman Catholic saint. He was of noble birth, but gave up his rights of inheritance and became a Jesuit. In 1591, a plague broke out in Rome and the Jesuits opened a hospital for the stricken. Although already in ill health, Aloysius volunteered to work there and became infected and died on June 21 of that year. He was beatified only fourteen years later by Pope Paul V, on October 19, 1605. On December 31, 1726, he was canonized by Pope Benedict XIII, who also declared him patron saint of young students in 1729. In 1926, he was named patron of Christian youth by Pope Pius XI. Owing to the manner of his death, he has always been considered a patron saint of plague victims. In recent years, many have felt it proper to extend this to include people living with AIDS.