Saint Alphonsus Rodriguez, born on July 25, 1532, in Segovia, Spain, was a Spanish Jesuit religious brother known for his extraordinary holiness and humility. He is venerated as a saint in the Catholic Church.
Early Life and Challenges
Alphonsus was the son of a wool merchant. When he was twelve, his father sent him to the new Jesuit college at Alcalá, but his studies were cut short when his father died. Alphonsus returned home to help his mother run the family business. At the age of 26, he married María Suarez, and they had three children. Tragically, his wife and two of their children died, and Alphonsus began a life of prayer and mortification.
Joining the Jesuits
After the death of his third child, Alphonsus sought to join the Jesuits. Despite his poor education and health, he was eventually admitted into the Society of Jesus as a lay brother on January 31, 1571, at the age of 40. He was sent to the recently founded college on Majorca, where he served as a doorkeeper for 46 years.
Life as a Doorkeeper
As a doorkeeper, Alphonsus performed humble tasks such as receiving visitors, delivering messages, running errands, and distributing alms to the needy. His holiness and prayerfulness attracted many to him, including Saint Peter Claver, who was then a Jesuit seminarian. Alphonsus imagined everyone who knocked at the door to be the Lord himself and greeted everyone with the same smile he would have given God.
Legacy and Veneration
Alphonsus died on October 31, 1617, in Palma, Majorca. He was beatified on June 5, 1825, by Pope Leo XII and canonized on January 15, 1888, by Pope Leo XIII. His feast day is celebrated on October 31. Alphonsus is remembered for his deep spirituality, humility, and dedication to serving others.
