St. Aloysius Gonzaga, a Poem by Father William Hart McNichols, S.J., 1989

Aloysius, You have drawn me to you,

gentle teacher, loving guide.
I am filled with gratitude to you… l love you.
Just to see you, to sit with your image,
is to see all the simplicity, the trust, and the innocence
of the children of the kingdom.
Aloysius, Let me serve,
let me love as you loved people on earth!
Teach me to leave the dark destructive forces
within for the Light in the presence of Our Savior, Jesus.
Aloysius, Teach me to pray unceasingly, better yet,
pray with me, sit near me, kneel with me… take my hand.
And finally, when my life here is over,
come to lead me Home.
Amen