St. Alphonsus Liguori, C.Ss.R. (1696-1787), founder of the Redemptorists, was one of the greatest moral theologians and spiritual writers in the history of the church. Not only was he a doctor of the church and a bishop, he was also a canon and civil lawyer, a painter, musician, poet, architect, and the author of over 100 books, making him one of the most prolific religious writers of all time.

He was unique among the saints for his life-long devotion to the Blessed Mother. St. Alphonsus was visited several times by Our Mother. One of his most celebrated books is titled The Glories of Mary.

In the 200-plus years since his death in 1787, more than 20,000 editions of his works have been published, making his writings second only to the Bible in popularity.

He is the patron saint of confessors, moral theologians, and people suffering from arthritis and rheumatism. His feast day is August 1.

He is the only professional moral theologian ever to be officially declared a saint by the Church. He was canonized in 1839.

At the age of 16, after completing a doctorate in canon and civil law, he wrote his own code of ethics for the legal profession called "The 12 Commandments for Lawyers.” These Commandments are as relevant today as they were when the young lawyer and future saint wrote them back in 1712.