Saint
Alphonsus Liguori
Born: 1696
Died: 1787
Feast Day: 1st August
Patron Saint: Arthritis,
Confessors, Moralists
Writings: Moral Theology, Glories of Mary, Visits to the
Blessed Sacrament – and many more
Canonised: 1839
Saint Alphonsus was born in 1696, near Naples as
the eldest (of seven) son to Joseph, a Naval Captain of the Royal Galleys and
Anna Knight. His father was keen for him
to get a good education and therefore was he taught by private tutors. He was a
very bright student, and his father was strict and kept a watchful eye over
him, which included making him practise the harpsichord for 3 hours a day,
becoming a virtuoso by the age of thirteen.
For enjoyment he was an equestrian, card player and fencer.
Starting his law studies at the young age of 13,
he obtained his doctorate as a lawyer and started practising at 19. It is said
he won every case until 8 years later, when he missed a small detail, at which
time he gave up law. Joseph tried to arrange a marriage for his son which he
resisted. Alphonsus enjoyed opera but
more the music than the acting, often removing his glasses during the
performance so that he could listen rather than watch. During Lent of 1722, he went on a retreat
with the Vincentians and by Lent 1723 he decided that he would not marry and
listen to the voice of God, that was saying “Leave the World and give
yourself to me”.
At the church of Our Lady of Mercy, he asked to
become part of the Oratory priests, even though his father tried to persuade
him otherwise. He began to study
theology and was ordained around the age of 30.
He soon became a sought-after preacher and confessor, with his simple
style that was easy for the rich and poor to understand.
He was the Founder of the Redemptorists Order in
1732 in Scala, a preaching order, this was not without its trials. His book Moral Theology was published in
1748. At 66 he was made bishop and
immediately instituted reform of his diocese. He retired in 1775. At 71 Alphonsus
suffered with severe rheumatic pains which left an incurable bend in his neck,
so bad that, at one point his chin caused a raw wound on his chest. He suffered
a final 18 months of fears, temptations and dark nights interspersed with ecstasies
and died in 1787.
References: http://www.redemptorists.co.uk/who-we-are/our-founder-st-alphonsus.html
https://www.catholicnewsagency.com/saint/st-alphonsus-liguori-550
https://saintalphonsusph.org/who-was-saint-alphonsus-liguori
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