Jesuits' Altar
The three main statues are St. John Berchmans (canonized 1888), St. Aloysius Gonzaga (canonized 1726), St. Stanislaus Kostka (canonized 1726), and on the right below the altar is St. Alphonsus Rodriguez (canonized 1888).
Jesuits' Altar Virtual Tour
Jesuit Saints' Altar
The three main statues are St. John Berchmans (canonized 1888), St. Aloysius Gonzaga (canonized 1726), St. Stanislaus Kostka (canonized 1726), and on the right below the altar is St. Alphonsus Rodriguez (canonized 1888).
None ofthe three young Jesuits were priests - they died before ordination. St. Alphonsus was a Jesuit Brother. The young Jesuits were depicted to show that following Christ and holiness is possible for youth.
Top of Jesuit Saints' Altar
On the left: Angel with Cross signifies faith
On the right: Angel with Lilies signifies Christ's Resurrection
Quan Pulchra est Casta Generation: How beautiful is the house of this generation.
Patronus Juventutum: The patron of youth
The Middle of Jesuit Saints' Altar
The middle or center section of the Jesuits' Altar contains statues of St. John Berchmans, St. Aloysius Gonzaga and St. Stanislaus Kostka.
St. John Berchmans
St. John Berchman was born on March 13, 1559. He was blessed with good parents who watched over him and helped form a characer that would be pleasing in the sight of God. His parish priest, observing him as a little boy, said that God would work wonders in the soul of the child. He was a leader among his youthful companions, teaching them to be good and holy in God's sight. He became a member of the Society of Jesus and, after studing philosophy for three yeras, became ill. He died on August 13, 1621 at the age of twenty-two. He raised himself, by the grace of God, to practice virtue to a heroic degree and was canonized a saint in the year 1888.
St. Aloysius Gonzaga
St. Aloysius was born on March 9, 1568. At the age of nine, he made of vow of perpetual virginity and was given a special grace. He was exempted from temptations against purity. In a vision he was directed by Our Blessed Lady to join the Society of Jesus.
"I am a crooked piece of iron," he said "and am come into religion be made straight by the hammer of mortification and penance."
He died repeating The Holy Name on the octave day of Corpus Christi, June 21, at the youthful age of twenty-three.
St. Stanislaus Kostka
At age fourteen, St. Stanislaus went with his elder brother, Paul, to the Jesuits. Paul shamefully maltreated Stanislaus. This maltreatment and his self inflicted choice of penance brought on a dangerous illness.
He devoutly appealed to St. Barbara. She appeared with two angels and gave him the Sacred Host. He was cured of his illness by Our Lady herself. He was bidden by her to enter The Society of Jesus. Stanislaus was admitted to the novitiate at Rome.
At the age of seventeen, he died on the Feast of the Assumpton in the year 1568, as he had prayed to die.
The Bottom of Jesuit Saints' Altar - Our Lord Laying in the Sepulcher
Joseph of Armimathea went to Pilate and asked for the body of Jesus. Pilate gave orders for the body to be given to him. Joseph took the body, wrapped it in a new linen winding sheet, and placed it in his own tomb, which he had just recently dug out of the rock. Then he rolled a large stone across the entrance to the tomb and went away.
Side of Altar - St. Alphonsus Rodriguez
Alphonsus was born about 1533. At fourteen, he was sent to study under the Jesuits at Alcala, but before the first year was out, his father died. He had to return to the family business and was given sole charge by the age of 23. He married and they had a daughter and a son. His daughter died and then his wife died after a long illness. He sold the business and went to live with his two pious sisters who taught him mental prayer. Afer some years his son died and Alphonsus (aged 40, in poor health and lacking education) applied to the Jesuits at Segovia. They unhesitatingly refused him so he went back to school, supporting himself by being a servant and begging.
In 1571 he was accepted as a lay brother and sent to the College of Montesione in Majorca. He made his final vows in 1585. He became the spiritual adviser of St. Peter Claver who in 1605 was a pupil at the college. Just before his death, he looked around lovingly at his brethren, kissed the crucifix, and uttered the Holy Name in a loud voice. He was canonized in 1888 with St. Peter Claver.
