Alfonso María de Ligorio (1696–1787)

Biography

Saint Alphonsus Mary of Ligorio has bequeathed to the Church a message that does not go out of fashion and is always very topical: 1) Profound life and wise doctrine on prayer. 2) Tender and transforming devotion to the Sgda. Eucharist. 3) Filial devotion to the Virgin Mary. In addition, many other facets of his life should be added that are also a wonderful message, such as, for example, the vow he makes to "never waste time." When Alfonso was born in 1696, an old missionary predicted of him: "This child will be a bishop, will live nearly a hundred years and will do great things for Jesus Christ." He belonged to a noble Neapolitan family. At the age of seven they already put him to study classical literature. At twelve he enrolled in the University and at sixteen, he was already invested with the robe of doctor in both Laws. For eight years he dedicated himself to defending lawsuits in his law firm. He won all of them, except one, due to injustices and lies. He was deeply impressed by him, and said: "Deceitful world, today I met you; from now on you will be nothing to me." And to a friend he added: "My colleague, our life is very unhappy and we are in danger of losing our soul for all eternity. I see that this is not my career. I am going to abandon it and try to go down other paths." Alfonso embraces the path of following Christ in the priesthood and is ordained in the year 1726. That same day he made this resolution: "The Church honors me by granting me this gift, I will try to honor the Church by working tirelessly for it, with my purity, with my holiness." And he faithfully kept the promise. He dedicated himself to traveling throughout Italy preaching popular Missions and writing beautiful treatises on all the topics that he knew were of interest to the faithful people: Morals, Catechisms, Sermons, Visits to the Blessed Sacrament, Treatises on the Virgin Mary. "The Glories of Mary" will be his immortal work, together with his treatises on Moral Theology in which until now he enjoys great authority. In 1732 he founded the Congregation of the Redemptorists to continue his work. At 66 years old, Pope Clement XIII forced him to accept being Bishop of Santa Agueda. He is a wonderful father and Pastor. He does not waste a moment to train others and to sanctify himself. The good Father calls him at 91 years old. It was the 1st. August 1787.