St. Alphonsus Medal

St. Alphonsus Liguori Biography

St. Alphonsus Liguori was an Italian Catholic bishop, spiritual writer, theologian and founder of the Redemptorists. He was born on September 27, 1696, in Marianella, a suburb of Naples, Italy.

As a young man, Alphonsus was highly educated and had a successful career as a lawyer. However, after a spiritual conversion, he decided to leave the legal profession and become a priest. He was ordained a priest in 1726, at the age of 30.

After his ordination, he began to devote himself to the spiritual needs of the people in his local area, particularly the poor and the abandoned. He founded the Congregation of the Most Holy Redeemer, or the Redemptorists, in 1732, a religious order dedicated to serving the poor and spreading devotion to Jesus Christ.

As a spiritual writer, St. Alphonsus wrote many books and pamphlets, including “The Glories of Mary,” “The Way of the Cross,” and “The Sermons of St. Alphonsus Liguori,” which are still widely read today. He was also known as a preacher and was famous for his eloquence and ability to reach the hearts of his listeners.

In 1762, he was appointed bishop of Sant’Agata dei Goti, but he resigned the position after only two years, as he felt that his age and frail health prevented him from fulfilling his duties. However, he continued to work for the Church, mainly through writing and preaching.

Alphonsus was known for his deep devotion to Jesus Christ and for his emphasis on the importance of humility, meekness, and the love of God. He considered himself an apostle of the Eucharist, and his writings and teachings on the Eucharist have had a great impact on the Church.

His works and writings were also a significant contributions for Mariology. He wrote extensively on Mary, emphasizing her role as the mother of God, and also promoting devotion to her as a way to come closer to Jesus.

He was canonized by the Catholic Church in 1839. His feast day is celebrated on August 1st and He is the patron saint of moral theologians, confessors and those suffering with arthritis and sciatica.

 

St. Alphonsus Rodriguez

St. Alphonsus Rodriguez was born at Segovia, Spain, July 25, 1532. At the age of twenty-six Alfonso married Mary Suarez; five years later he became a widower with one surviving child, two others having died previously. He now began a life of prayer and mortification, and on the death of his third child his thoughts turned to a life of a religious Order.

Persistence in Faith

Previous associations had brought him into contact with Blessed Peter Faber and some of the Jesuits who first came to Spain, but as he was without education it was apparently impossible for him to carry out his desire to enter the Society of Jesus. At the age of thirty-nine he attempted to make up this deficiency by following the course at the College of Barcelona, but without success. Besides, his austerities had undermined his health.

After considerable delay he was finally admitted into the Society January 31, 1571 as a lay-Brother. After six months he was sent to the recently-founded college at Majorca, where he remained for forty-six years filling the humble position of porter. He exercised a marvelous influence on the sanctification not only of the members of the household, but upon great numbers of people who came to the porter’s lodge for advice and direction.

St. Peter Claver lived with him for some time at Majorca, and followed his advice in asking for the missions of South America. After leading a long and holy, austere life, St. Alphonsus Rodriguez died at Majorca, October 31, 1617. He was declared Venerable in 1626, and in 1633 was chosen by the Council General of Majorca as one of the special patrons of the city and island. He was canonized by Pope Leo XIII on September 6, 1887.

 

Prayers to St. Alphonsus

St. Aphonsus’ Prayer to the Blessed Mother Mary

Most Holy Virgin Immaculate, my Mother Mary, to you who are the Mother of my Lord, the Queen of the universe, the advocate, the hope, the refuge of sinners, I who am the most miserable of all sinners, have recourse this day.

I venerate you, great Queen, and I thank you for the many graces you have bestowed upon me even unto this day; in particular for having delivered me from the hell which I have so often deserved by my sins.

I love you, most dear Lady; and for the love I bear you, I promise to serve you willingly for ever and to do what I can to make you loved by others also. I place in you all my hopes for salvation; accept me as your servant and shelter me under your mantle, you who are the Mother of mercy.

And since you are so powerful with God, deliver me from all temptations, or at least obtain for me the strength to overcome them until death. From you I implore a true love for Jesus Christ. Through you I hope to die a holy death. My dear Mother, by the love you bear to Almighty God, I pray you assist me always, but most of all at the last moment of my life. Forsake me not then, until you see me safe in heaven, there to bless you and sing of your mercies through all eternity. Such is my hope. Amen.

Popular St. Alphonsus Items

A St. Alphonsus medal or a St. Alphonsus rosary is a perfect gift to give to a young man who has chosen St. Alphonsus as their confirmation name. As the patron saint of vocations, wearing a St. Alphonsus medal daily is a perpetual prayer for Saint Alphonsus to intercede on behalf of the wearer. As saints are united closer to God, their prayers are more efficacious, and enriches your own prayer.

Additionally, a Saint Alphonsus pendant is a reminder to emulate the example of the holy saint as you live out your own vocation in your daily life. What a beautiful testament of faith to share with the world, or to keep discretely tucked under your clothes. During the challenging moments of your day, reflect upon the holy life of St. Alphonsus and pray for their intercession and protection.

St. Alphonsusis the patron saint of those discerning vocations

St. Alphonsus Liguori is the patron saint of confessors, moral theologians, and those suffering from alcoholism. He was canonized a saint by the Catholic Church for his outstanding moral teachings, his founding of the Redemptorist order, and his strong devotion to the sacraments, particularly Confession. He is also known for his work in helping to combat alcoholism and vice among the common people. “

Reflection on the feast day of St. Alphonsus

The feast day of St. Alphonsus is celebrated on August 1st.

St. Alphonsus was a Catholic bishop and theologian who lived in the 18th century. He is known for his deep devotion to God and his strong commitment to serving the poor and marginalized. He founded the Congregation of the Most Holy Redeemer, also known as the Redemptorists, a religious order dedicated to spreading the Gospel to those who were most in need.

One of the lessons we can learn from St. Alphonsus is the importance of humility. He recognized that despite his many accomplishments and talents, he was nothing without God’s grace. He humbly submitted himself to God’s will and allowed himself to be used as a instrument of God’s love and mercy.

Another lesson we can learn from St. Alphonsus is the importance of serving others. He dedicated his life to serving the poor and marginalized, recognizing that in doing so he was serving Christ himself. He taught that true love for God is demonstrated through love for our neighbor and he lived this out in his own life.

As we celebrate the feast day of St. Alphonsus, let us reflect on the lessons he teaches us and strive to imitate his example of humility and service to others. Let us also pray for the intercession of St. Alphonsus, asking that he may help us to deepen our own relationship with God and to serve others with love and compassion.

In conclusion, St. Alphonsus is a great example of humility and service to others. He reminds us that true love for God is shown through love for our neighbor and teaches us to live out this love in our daily lives. Let us pray for his intercession and strive to imitate his example in our own lives.

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Saints Similar to St. Alphonsus

You may also be interested in reading the Biography of St. Alphonsa. St. Alphonsus and St. Alphonsa both share the name Alphonsus. St. Alphonsus Liguori was an Italian bishop and theologian known for his moral theology and writings. St. Alphonsa was a saint from India, the first Indian woman to be canonized, known for her deep spirituality and suffering. Next up: Biography of St. Ambrose

 

Also check out our handmade St. Alphonsus Medal and St. Alphonsus Rosary and St. Alphonsus Rosary Bracelet.