St. Alphonsus Rodriguez (1532-1617)

Born in Segovia, Spain, the son of a wealthy merchant, he was studying with the Jesuits when his father died. He had to return home and take over the family business. He married and had several children. After the death of his wife and children, he sold the business and applied to the Jesuits. He was accepted as a brother in 1571. He worked as a porter at the Jesuit college on the island of Majorca. Overlooked by some of the Jesuits in the house, Alphonsus exerted a wondrous influence on many. Not only the young students such as St. Peter Claver, but local civic and social leaders came to his porter’s lodge for advice and direction. Obedience and penance were the hallmarks of his life, as well as his devotion to the Immaculate Conception. He experienced many spiritual consolations, and he wrote religious treatises, very simple in style but sound in doctrine. Alphonsus died after a long illness on October 31, 1617, and his funeral was attended by Church and government leaders. He was declared Venerable in 1626, and was named a patron of Majorca in 1633. Alphonsus was beatified in 1825 and canonized in September 1888 with St. Peter Claver.

(From Catholic online)