St Alphonsus Rodrigues

Alphonsus was born into a rich family and he was able to go to school with the Jesuit priests. While he was away at school, his father died and so, even though he was very young, Alphonsus had to go back home to take care of his father’s business. Eventually, he got married and had 3 children. Sadly, his children and wife died and Alphonsus decided that, instead of continuing his life as a business man, he wanted to live the rest of his life for Jesus. Because he had studied with the Jesuits, he wanted to join the Jesuit order. But because he had not studied very much before leaving school when his father died, and he was not a very healthy man, the Order did not have him study to become a priest. Instead he served the Order as a lay person (someone who is not a priest, brother, or nun). The Order sent him to the Island of Majorca to become a porter (someone who serves others by carrying their luggage or other loads). He did this job without complaining for 24 years and people came to know him and love him and ask for his advice. Even though Alphonsus did not hold an important position in the Jesuit Order, many people would come to him to hear his thoughts on God, ask him questions, and get help in becoming closer to Jesus. He was very obedient to the leaders of his Order and always did what he was told. He offered up sacrifices for his sins and the sins of the world, and he had a big devotion to Mary and her Immaculate Conception.