St. Alphonsus Liguori (1696-1787) was the first-born of a noble family residing in Naples, Italy. By the age of 16, he was both a civil and canon (Church) lawyer. Much to the displeasure of his father , he left the law profession and became a priest. Alphonsus established a contemplative community of nuns, the Redemptoristines, in 1731. A year later, 1732, this gifted speaker founded the Redemptorist Congregation in Scala , Italy. Due to his work in the area of moral theology, Alphonsus is the patron saint of confessors. This accomplished preacher, poet, painter, musician, and author is a Doctor of the Church.

