The Life of St. Alphonsus Liguori

The Life of St. Alphonsus Liguori is that of one of the greatest Saints in the history of the Church. The holiness of his life, the eloquence of his teachings, and the abundance of his miracles led the Church to quickly declare him a Saint and quickly thereafter a Doctor of the Church.

This most excellent biography of a most excellent Saint, published in 1886, was praised by Bishops across the United States. Written by an anonymous Sister of the Order of Mercy, it is an outstanding presentation of the inspiring, adventurous, joyful, tumultuous, and often humorous life of this great Saint.

St. Alphonsus, a pious man from his youth, quickly became a renowned lawyer. Soon after, he came face-to-face with the deceitful vanity of the world and dramatically abandoned his worldly career. Entrusting himself completely to Our Lord, he pursued the priesthood and quickly became one of the Church’s greatest missionaries and preachers. His holiness, intelligence, and virtue was used by Divine Providence to greatly impact the Church in his own time and for centuries to come.

Of the many Bishops who hailed this biography, Bishop Augustin Vérot, of St Augustine, Florida, wrote: "A new Life, in the English language, of the great Saint, illustrious missionary, and eminent Doctor of these modern times, cannot fail to prove exceedingly interesting to every lover of our Holy Church, and it affords me great pleasure to recommend it to the faithful."

In addition, Archbishop Joseph S. Alemany, O.P., of San Francisco, declared: "Any good work on St Alphonsus should be dear to every Catholic; I therefore take great pleasure in giving my approbation to the Life of the Saint, by a Member of the Order of Mercy, authoress of the “Life of Catharine McAuley,” etc., relying on the recommendations it has received from the learned and most worthy Archbishop of New Orleans, and other high dignitaries."

It is the hope of Slaying Dragons Press that the reader will find in this book a source of great inspiration and thereby experience the Love of God which drew St. Alphonsus Liguori to fully set his eyes on Christ, never again to look away. May he, from Heaven, intercede for all who study his life, that we may imitate him as he imitated Christ, and come to enjoy with him the delights of Paradise.

St. Alphonsus Liguori (1696 – 1787), was a zealous missionary, exemplary bishop, miracle worker, and prolific writer whose praises were sung by the whole Church during his life and after his death. Following his departure from this world, the Pope was inundated with requests to list St. Alphonsus Liguori among the great Doctors of the Church, an honor which his writings, capturing the hearts of all who take hold of them, testify he is worthy.