One of Robert Barron’s early tasks in his new role as bishop for the Diocese of Winona-Rochester was to lead the celebration of St. Aloysius Gonzaga this week.

“St. Aloysius Gonzaga, pray for us!” he said in a simple tweet in recognition of the feast day Tuesday.

St. Aloysius of Gonzaga was born in 1568 in Italy to a noble family.

Franciscan Media tells how his father wanted him to join the military and have a chance to become a hero, Aloysius, however, passed on that, choosing a religious life instead. He felt God's calling from a very young age, starting devout prayers when he was 7 and fasting and teaching other children about the faith when he was about 11. At 13, he traveled to Spain with his parents, where he participated in the court of Philip II, an experience that made him even more disillusioned with the secular life. He often took comfort in reading and learning about the lives of saints.

As one early example of his devotion to God, Aloysius took a vow of perpetual chastity when he was 9, Catholic.org says. To keep himself from giving in on that, he was known to keep his gaze downcast whenever he was in the presence of women. When his family moved back to Italy after their time in Spain, Aloysius resumed teaching doctrines to the poor. At the age of 18, he became a Jesuit.

With that decision, Aloysius gave up his inheritance and social status, according to Britannica. Aloysius was a dedicated servant to others. When the plague broke out in Rome, Aloysius volunteered to care for the sick at a Jesuit hospital. Aloysius contracted the plague and died at the age of 23. He is the patron saint of Catholic youth.

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

Barron was appointed earlier this month to serve as the next Bishop of Winona-Rochester, according to a diocese release, coming back to his native Midwest region. He was ordained a priest on May 24, 1986.

“I am overjoyed and humbled to receive this new assignment as the ninth bishop of Winona-Rochester," Barron said. "I look forward immensely to getting to know the good people, priests, and pastoral ministers of the diocese… My fondest hope is that I might be a good spiritual father to all the Catholics of southern Minnesota.”