Alphonsus Maria de' Liguori

Who was Alphonsus Maria de' Liguori?

Alphonsus Maria de' Liguori, C.Ss.R., was an Italian Catholic bishop, spiritual writer, scholastic philosopher and theologian.

Born into Neapolitan nobility, Ligouri had a successful law career before becoming a priest. He founded the Congregation of the Most Holy Redeemer to work among the poor. In 1762 he was appointed Bishop of Sant'Agata dei Goti. He was a prolific writer, publishing nine editions of his Moral Theology in his lifetime, in addition to other devotional and ascetic works and letters. Among his best known works are The Glories of Mary and The Way of the Cross, the latter still used in parishes during Lenten devotions.

He was canonized in 1839 by Pope Gregory XVI. Pope Pius IX proclaimed him a Doctor of the Church in 1871. One of the most widely read Catholic authors, Alphonsus Ligouri is the patron saint of confessors.