Doctor of the Church
Founder
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| St. Alphonsus praying, suffering from rheumatism. |
Patron Saint Of: Against arthritis, Confessors, Final perseverance, Moralists, Scrupulous people, Theologians, Vocations, Sant’Agata de’ Goti and Pagani, Italy
- Alphonsus Marie Antony John Cosmos Damien Michael Gaspard de Liguori was born on September 27, 1696 in Marianella, Italy.
- His father, Don Joseph was a naval officer and a captain of the Royal Galleys and went on retreats with Alphonsus.
- He was born into nobility and was a child prodigy.
- At the age of 16 he became extremely well educated and received his doctorate in law from the University of Naples, and at 21 had his own legal practice becoming one of the leading lawyers in Naples.
- He never went to court without attending Mass first.
- At Hospital for Incurables on August 28, 1723, he had a vision and was told to consecrate his life solely to God.
- He declined an arranged marriage,studied theology, and was ordained at age 29.
- He was known for his simple, clear, direct style of preaching, and his gentle, understanding way in the confessional.
- With the aid of Bishop Thomas Falcoia, founder of the Congregation of Pious Workers and Sister Mary Celeste, Aiphonsus founded the Congregation of the Most Holy Redeemer on November 9, 1732.
- The foundation faced immediate problems, and after just one year, Alphonsus found himself with only one lay brother, his other companions having left to form their own religious group.
- In 1762 Alphonsus was appointed bishop of the diocese of Sant’Agata de’ Goti, Italy by Pope Clement XIII.
- For thirteen years Alphonsus fed the poor, instructed families, reorganized the seminary and religious houses, taught theology, and wrote.
- He was afflicted with severe rheumatism, and often could barely move or raise his chin from his chest. In 1775 he resigned his see due to ill health, and went into what he thought would be a prayerful retirement.
- Nearly blind, Alphonsus, and was tricked into giving his approval to a revised Rule for the Congregation, one that suited the king and the anti-clerical government.
- Deposed and excluded from his own congregation, Alphonsus suffered great anguish.
- After his depression and return to the faith, he died peacefully on August 1,1787, at Nocera di Pagani
- Alphonsus vowed early to never to waste a moment of his life, and he lived that way for over 90 years.
- In 1871, Alphonsus was declared a Doctor of the Church by Pope Pius IX.
- His writings on moral, theological, and ascetic matters had great impact and have survived through the years, especially his Moral Theology and his Glories of Mary.
Personal Note: He wrote a book called Preparation for Death. It is a very good book for meditation on death as well as life. I highly recommend it.
Read more about St. Alphonsus Marie Liguori at:
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