He was in his ninety-first year when he died. He founded the Redemptorist Order in 1732. He became a Doctor of the Church by constantly preaching and writing about the Holy Eucharist and about the Virgin Mary. No saint is more complete or superlative in the praise of the virginal Mother of God than he. Three members of the Redemptorist Order have been canonized saints, thanks to the prayers and example of their father and founder, Saint Alphonsus Maria. These saints are: Saint Gerard Majella, whose feast is October 16, Saint Clement Mary Hofbauer, whose feast day is March 15, and Saint John Neumann, whose feast day is January 5.
QUESTION: What is a Doctor of the Catholic Church exactly?
ANSWER: Doctor who has – exemplary knowledge, theological science, and exemplary sanctity.
To teach, to govern and to sanctify – Office of the Bishop (the teacher of his diocese)
You now have 4 female doctors of the church.
Towards the end of his life his chin was stuck towards his chest.
Alphonsus was afflicted with rheumatic pains which left incurable bending of his neck. Until it was straightened a little, the pressure of his chin caused a raw wound on his chest. He suffered a final 18 months of “dark night” scruples, fears, temptations against every article of faith and every virtue, interspersed with intervals of light and relief, when ecstasies were frequent.
“Miracle Hunter” Michael O’Neill examines the lives of men and women on the path to sainthood. From miracle workers to martyrs and ordinary people living extraordinary lives of heroic virtue, this EWTN series presents those exemplary people who make us wonder if someday they might be saints. This segment features Blessed Francis Xavier Seelos, C.Ss.R.