St. Alphonsus Liguori
Doctor of the Church, Founder of the Redemptorists
Feast Day: August 1
Biography
St. Alphonsus Liguori (1696–1787) was a Neapolitan lawyer who, after losing a major case due to a technicality, abandoned law and became a priest. He founded the Congregation of the Most Holy Redeemer (Redemptorists) in 1732, dedicated to preaching missions to the poor. His writings on moral theology sought a middle path between rigorism and laxism, and his system of 'equiprobabilism' became the standard approach in Catholic moral thought. He wrote over 100 works, including 'The Glories of Mary' and numerous treatises on prayer and the spiritual life. He served as Bishop of Sant'Agata dei Goti and was declared a Doctor of the Church in 1871.
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Symbols
Prayer
St. Alphonsus, you left a brilliant legal career to serve God's poor. Help me to discern God's will in my life and to always choose the path of mercy and truth. Through Christ our Lord. Amen.
Asking for Intercession
Catholics ask saints to pray with us and for us, as we ask friends on earth. St. Alphonsus Liguori, who lives in God's presence, intercedes before His throne. Speak from your heart: “St. Alphonsus Liguori, please pray for me…” You may also pray the prayer above or include this intention in your Rosary.