Alphonsus Liguori, << al FON suhs lee GWAW ree, >> Saint (1696-1787), was an Italian Roman Catholic religious teacher. In 1732, he founded the Congregation of the Most Holy Redeemer, also known as the Redemptorists, to do religious work among the rural poor. Alphonsus wrote books on moral problems and for devotional and educational purposes. He emphasized the power of prayer. Alphonsus also composed many popular hymns. He was born on Sept. 27, 1696, near Naples, Italy. He died on Aug. 1, 1787. He was canonized (proclaimed a saint) in 1839. His feast day is August 2.
