<p>The life of Alphonsus Liguori (1696-1787) virtually spanned the 18th century. Born in Naples of distinguished parents, he demonstrated intellectual ability at an early age and became a doctor of civil law at 17. His brilliant career as a lawyer suddenly came to an end when, in 1723, he lost a very important case by overlooking a small point in the evidence. He admitted his error and subsequently resigned.</p>
<p>Ordained in 1726, he soon won a reputation in Naples as a preacher and became widely sought as a confessor. Throughout his life he was committed to preaching such sermons that everyone could profit from them: simple enough to understand and well structured so as to hold the listener's attention. In 1732 he went to Scala and founded an order of mission priests which became the Redemptorists. His famous <em>Moral Theology</em> was published in 1748.</p>
<p class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 4pt 0cm 0pt;">Alphonsus Liguori was known for his great kindness and concern for others. He was made a bishop in 1762 and retired in 1775. He was canonized in 1839 and in 1871 he was named a Doctor of the Church. He is the patron of moral theologians and confessors.</p>
<p>©2011 <em>Living with Christ, </em>Novalis - Bayard Press Canada Inc., <strong>http://www.livingwithchrist.ca/</strong>. Reprinted with permission.</p>
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