Saint Alphonsus was born into a well-respected family in 1696, in Marianella, in the Kingdom of Naples. He received an exceptional education through private tutors and was conferred degrees in civil and canon law at 16. He practiced law for 8 years before he turned to the Church. He was ordained a priest in 1726.

Saint Alphonsus traveled for 26 years in Kingdom of Naples preaching. His style of ministry was called “mission among the people,” he and a group of priests or lay brothers would go to rural areas, staying for a time to teach, preach, and pray with the people there.

Saint Alphonsus was a brilliant preacher, he was able to connect with ordinary people and his teaching and sermons were marked by his compassion. In a time of restrictive Church rule, where fear of God was truly fear, Saint Alphonsus taught about God’s redeeming love. He also had a special devotion to Mary, praying to her for intercession and including devotions to her in his teaching. He wrote extensively, more than 100 books which have been through thousands of editions. His books are still available today and have been translated into more than 60 languages.

In 1762 Saint Alphonsus was made a bishop by Pope Clement XIII, however, he was eventually allowed to resign his post because of his ill health. He was paralyzed for a time from rheumatic fever in 1775, and had rheumatism so severe it was deforming, bending his head so far forward that his chin rested on his chest.

He died peacefully at the age of 90 in 1787. He was canonized in 1839 by Pope Gregory XVI, and in 1871 he was named a doctor of the church by Pope Pius IX. In 1950 he was declared patron of moral theologians by Pope Pius XII.