Daily Martyrology for June 21

At Rome, in 1591, St. Aloysius Gonzaga. Over the objections of his powerful family, he joined the Society of Jesus. He embraced a regime of severe mortification. At 23, he died while ministering to victims of an outbreak of the plague. St. Robert Bellarmine (September 17), his spiritual director, said Aloysius’ example was so extreme that others should not be encouraged to follow it.

In 866, St. Ralph of Bourges, bishop. As archbishop, he used his great learning and wealth to promote Christian education. He wrote a book of pastoral guidance for clergy.

In 1600, in London, St. John Rigby, a layman who refused to attend services in the Elizabethan church, despite repeated reprieves and opportunities to conform. He wrote an autobiographical account of his imprisonment and trial.

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Our daily martyrology was written by Fr. Hugh Feiss, OSB. Copyright © 2008 by the Monastery of the Ascension, Jerome, ID 83338.