St Alphonsus Rodriguez, also known as Alonso, was a Jesuit lay brother.
He was born on July 25 1532 in Segovia, Spain, and died on October 31 1617 at the age of 85 in Palma, Majorca, Spain.
We celebrate his feast day on October 31 every year in the Catholic Church.
St Alphonsus Rodriguez is the Patron Saint of
- City of Majorca, Spain
- The island of Majorca, Spain
| St Alphonsus Rodriguez Biography | |
|---|---|
 |
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| Date of Birth | July 25 1532 |
| Place of Birth | Segovia, Spain |
| Profession | Spanish Jesuit lay brother |
| Place of Work | Palma, Mallorca, Spain |
| Date of Death | October 31 1617 |
| Place of Death | Palma, Mallorca, Spain |
| Feast Day | October 31 |
| Beatification | By Pope Leo XII in 1825 |
| Canonization | By Pope Leo XIII in September 1887 |
| Patron Saint of |
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St Alphonsus Rodriguez Life History
St Alphonsus Rodriguez was the third born of eleven children in the family of the wealthy wool merchant Diego Rodriguez.
When he was 10 years old, he met Blessed Peter Faber, a priest, who prepared Alphonsus for his First Communion.
At the age of 14, Alphonsus was sent to study with Jesuits, but his father died shortly after, and he had to return home to learn and manage the family business.
At the age of 26 years, he married Mary Suarez. Alphonsus’s business suffered, and two of their children died in infancy; only one son survived.
In his early 30’s, Alphonsus’s wife Mary Suarez, and his mother died. When he was left a widower, he sold his business and moved in with his sisters; who helped him learn prayerful meditation and also raise his son.
When his son died, Alphonsus decided to follow his call to religious life. He gave away everything he had and tried to join the Jesuits. He was rejected because he did not have the required standard of education.
Alphonsus tried to attend the College of Barcelona, but after two years he could not complete his studies. However, at the recommendation of Jesuit Father Luis Santander, who saw his commitment to piety, he was admitted on January 31 1571 and became a Jesuit lay brother at Valencia, Spain, and began to study alongside the children.
Alphonsus was later sent to the Jesuit college of Montesión at Palma, Mallorca, Spain where he worked as a porter and doorkeeper for 46 years.
His duties involved delivering packages, receiving visitors and guests, carrying their luggage, and dispensing alms to the poor. In his humble job, he positively influenced many through the years.
Alphonsus’s work was repetitious and monotonous and demanded a lot of humility. Just like he would welcome the Lord at the door, he welcomed and greeted everyone who knocked at the door.
His exercise of severe austerities nearly destroyed his health; at the age of 60, he was ordered to start sleeping on a bed instead of the chair, bench, or ground he had previously used. He had a special devotion to St Ursula
He was so obedient to his superiors that when one told him to eat his plate, he tried to cut it with a knife and fork.
He was a personal friend of St Peter Claver. It is Alphonsus who advised Peter to go for missionary work in South America.
Alphonsus left behind a collection of manuscripts that he had written at the request of his superiors. He wrote down his random thoughts, actions, and spiritual inspirations with so much simplicity correct doctrine, and spiritual understanding.
Alphonsus died on October 30 1617 and when his journals were inspected they showed that he lived the life of a saint and mystic.
Feast Day Quote:
Though his life was punctuated with personal tragedies and disappointments, and he left no special writings or teachings, his impact on the people he met was his legacy. He served with such love that the act of opening the door became a sacramental gesture.
Other Catholic Saints whose Feast Days are in October
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