Alphonsus Rodriguez

St. Alphonsus Rodriguez ( also Alphonso, Alfonso, Alfonso, Alonso, * July 25, 1532 in Segovia, † October 31, 1617 in Palma de Mallorca) was a Spanish Jesuit lay brother. He is sometimes confused with the Father Alphons (Alonso ) Rodriguez (around 1526-1616 ), author of the exercise of Christian perfection, which was never canonized.

Life

Alphonsus Rodriguez grew up the son of an impoverished wool merchant and took over his business finally at the age of 23 years. At the age of 26, he married befitting Maria Suarez. Together they had three children, of whom but two prematurely retired from the life, and also his wife Mary died young at the age of 31 years. From that moment on, he began a life of prayer and mortification. When finally his third child died, grew in him the desire to enter a religious community.

Earlier compounds had brought him into contact with the first Jesuits who had come to Spain, among them the Blessed Peter Faber. But first, it seemed impossible to realize his plan to join the Society of Jesus. He lacked the necessary training, since he had not even visited a year a Jesuit college, which was founded by Francis Villanueva in Alcalá. At the age of 39 years he tried to make up for the lack of training. For this purpose he visited the College in Barcelona, ​​but without success. His penances were very affected his health. After a long delay he was finally accepted as a lay brother in the Society of Jesus on January 31, 1571.

Dedicated novitiates were at that time not yet set up in Spain. Therefore Alfonso began his examination period in Valencia or Gandia (the place is disputed) and after six months he was sent to the newly established College in Mallorca, where he served in the humble position of a porter for 46 years. During this time he practiced an admirable positive impact not only on the residents of, but to a large number of people who came to the door to find advice and instruction. Among the more well-known Jesuits who he influenced, among the holy Peter Claver, who lived for a time with him to Majorca, and who asked for his advice to be sent to the missions to South America.

The physical penances which he practiced aufbürdete themselves were extremely, his scruples and states of mental unrest often, his obedience was perfect and his immersion in spiritual things without interruption, even if he worked on tasks that can easily lead to distraction. His slogan was: "Just please God, and always and everywhere fulfill God's will."

Works

Alphonsus left a considerable number of manuscripts, some of which 1885 in Barcelona under the title " Obras del B. Alonso Rodriguez espirituales " ( " Sacred works of Brother Alonso Rodriguez " ) was published in three Oktavbänden and complete in eight quarto volumes. The writings lack the polished style, in some cases, it is only to notes of spiritual lectures, who had heard Alphonsus. There are a lot of repetition and the examples are taken from everyday life. In the treatment of the various virtues often lack the precise definition. But it is remarkable how correct and healthy ( from the perspective of the Catholic Church ) His doctrine is, and how deeply the spiritual knowledge they reveal. They had not been written with a view to publication, but Alphonsus wrote or dictated simply in obedience to an order from his superiors.

The path to canonization

Alphonsus was declared Venerable in 1626. In 1633 he was elected by the General Council of Mallorca to one of the special patrons of the city and the island.

1760, Pope Clement XIII. , That " have proved the virtues of the Venerable Alphonsus as of a heroic degree ." The expulsion of the Jesuits from Spain in 1773 and the abolition of the order led but to the fact that he was beatified until 1825. He was canonised on 6 September 1887. His remains are venerated in Mallorca.

His feast day is October 31.

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