08/01/2026
The Feast Day of St. Alphonsus Liguori, Bishop and Doctor of the Church, is celebrated on August 1. St. Alphonsus was the founder in 1782 of the Congregation of the most Holy Redeemer, called Redemptorists. He was born near Naples, Italy in 1696 and died on August 1, 1787. He was beatified in 1809 and canonized in 1836.
St. Alphonsus was a brilliant preacher; he was able to connect with ordinary people and his teaching and sermons were marked by his compassion. In a time of restrictive Church rule, where fear of God was truly fear, St. Alphonsus taught about God’s redeeming love. He also had a special devotion to Mary, praying to her for intercession and including devotions to her in his teaching. He wrote extensively, more than 100 books which have been through thousands of editions. His books are still available today and have been translated into more than 72 languages.
Later in life St. Alphonsus was paralyzed for a time from rheumatic fever, and had rheumatism so severe it was deforming, bending his head so far forward that his chin rested on his chest. He is the patron of confessors, moral theologians, and the lay apostolate. In liturgical art he is depicted as bent over with rheumatism or as a young priest.
Before our parish was established in 1852, Redemptorist priests would visit the area and celebrate Mass in the living room of the Esper farmhouse, which was located near what is now Warren and Schaefer. The Esper family eventually donated a corner of their farm, and the new parish was named St. Alphonsus, after the founder of the Redemptorist order.
Most of the magnificent stained glass windows in our church depict the mysteries of the rosary. But one window, the last one on the east side pictures the patron of our parish, St. Alphonsus, in the Kingdom of Heaven, vested as a Bishop and kneeling in prayer before Mary and her Infant Son. In his hand is a book, which is no doubt his own writing, ON THE GLORIES OF MARY. This window was made by the Tyrolese Art Glass Company of Innsbruck Austria and installed in 1931. It was donated by the pastor, Rev. John Klich.
St. Alphonsus - Pray for us!
