Pilgrimage of the Elderly — Feast of the Birth of Saint Aloysius

The feast of the birth of Saint Aloysius

On March 9th, the anniversary of the birth of Saint Aloysius Gonzaga, which took place in Castiglione delle Stiviere (MN) on March 9th, 1568. On this date, the Diocese of Mantua organizes the Pilgrimage of the Elderly in the saint's hometown: an event dedicated particularly to the elderly, which brings together faithful from all over the diocese around the figure of the young Jesuit, patron of Castiglione and protector of youth.

The celebrations

The day is divided into several liturgical moments. In the morning, after the recitation of the rosary, a solemn Mass is celebrated; in the evening, in the cathedral, solemn Vespers and a second Eucharistic celebration are held. Bishops and high-ranking Church officials are invited to preside over the rites, emphasizing the significance of the initiative within the framework of Aloysian devotion.

Promoted by the pastoral care for the elderly

The event is promoted by the "Table for family and life stages" of the Diocese of Mantua, through the team for Pastoral care for the elderly. The choice of March 9th, the day of Saint Aloysius's birth, gives the initiative a particular spiritual value, linking the memory of the saint with attention to the elderly in the community.

In the heart of the Aloysian Year

The Pilgrimage of the Elderly is part of the celebrations of the Aloysian Year, the jubilee year proclaimed for the third centenary of the canonization of Saint Aloysius Gonzaga. Participants in the celebrations are granted a plenary indulgence, under the usual conditions. Castiglione delle Stiviere, the city that preserves the memory of its saint, thus becomes the destination of a pilgrimage full of faith and tradition.