Today, we remember and honor St. Alphonsus, who was the founder of the Redemptorist order in 1732.  Recently, we had a retired priest, Fr. Lyle Conan, who came to celebrate Mass, and he is from the Redemptorist order.   Alphonsus is best known for his moral theology. What is Moral Theology, but is the field to help us know the difference between right and wrong, good and evil.  Alphonsus also wrote well in the field of spiritual and dogmatic theology. His “Glories of Mary” is one of the great works on that subject, and his book “Visits to the Blessed Sacrament”went through 40 editions in his lifetime, greatly influencing the practice of this devotion to the Blessed Sacrament.

Alphonsus received a doctorate at the University of Naples in both canon and civil law at the age of 16.  But he didn't practice law, but rather was ordained a priest and spent time working in parish ministry.  He concentrated his efforts in giving parish missions, hearing confessions, and building faith communities.  He founded the Redemptorist congregation in 1732.  It was a group of priests and brothers who live in community, dedicated to the imitation of Christ, and working mainly in popular missions for peasants in rural areas.  Alphonsus also became a bishop in 66.  Today, we honor him and seek his prayers and intercessions.