August 1

SAINT ALPHONSUS LIGUORI

Naples, 1696 - 1787

Saint Alphonsus was a lawyer for several years before he lost his first case, and an important one. He left the profession and subsequently felt a call to the priesthood. In 1732, he founded the order of the Redemptorists. He was famous for his popular sermons. A prolific writer on many spiritual topics, he was declared a Doctor of the Church in 1871 by Pope Pius IX.

Did you know?

St. Alphonsus suffered greatly from scruples, and from debilitating arthritis. He is often portrayed with a bent neck, illustrating his suffering.

A family tradition...

St. Alphonsus wrote prolifically, but you may be most familiar with his meditation on the Way of the Cross. His work The Glories of Mary is also very popular.