Australian Redemptorist site-The Vision of Alphonsus

Vision of St Alphonsus

St. Alphonsus lived from 1696 to 1787. Born into a rich and noble, but faith-filled family in Naples, Italy, he became a brilliant lawyer before responding to God as a priest and abandoning his wealth and career ambitions, much to the disgust of his father. He founded the Redemptorists in 1732 to be a missionary group to the poor and went on to become a brilliant preacher, confessor, theologian, musician, composer, poet, writer and bishop. In all, he wrote 111 books with clarity and simplicity on moral theology, prayer, devotion to Mary and other similar topics. Pope John Paul II describes Alphonsus as: "A gigantic figure, not only in the history of the Church, but for the whole of humanity as well. Even people who would not seem close to him in the sense of having followed his vision, still see in him the teacher of the Catholic souls of the West. He did for modern Catholicism what St. Augustine accomplished in ancient times".

St Alphonsus

Saint Alphonsus

Alphonsus' founding vision for the Redemptorists was gained when he visited poor shepherds in the mountains outside Naples. Seeing their plight, in which they were abandoned by society and the Church, he felt a deep compassion and set out to bring them the Good News of Jesus Christ. Contrary to what they believed, these poor people were deeply loved by God.

He developed a style of preaching that was beautifully simple and clear, easily understood by everyone present. These qualities, coupled with a deep compassion for those on the outer, were trademarks of Alphonsus and are part of our tradition in working with people.

Redemptorists Saints and Blessed