Daily Saint

St. Alphonsus Rodriguez exemplifies how ordinary acts of service can lead to holiness. As a Spanish Jesuit brother, he spent more than four decades serving as a porter at a Jesuit college in Palma, Majorca. When he answered the door to welcome visitors, he envisioned Christ standing there, waiting to enter.

Born in Segovia, Spain, Alphonsus was the second of eleven children. His father was a wool and cloth merchant. His family had connections with the early Jesuits, and St. Peter Favre, one of the Society of Jesus’ founders, once stayed in their home. Favre helped prepare Alphonsus for his First Communion.

After his father’s death, Alphonsus left school to help manage the family business. He later married María Suárez, and they had three children. Within a few years, however, his wife and children died. Although he felt a draw to the priesthood, he lacked sufficient education.

He eventually sought to enter the Society of Jesus. Because of his age, limited formal education, and poor health, the Jesuits initially rejected his request. Despite failed efforts to improve his education, his persistence gained him admission in 1571 as a Jesuit brother. He was sent to Majorca, where he was appointed porter at the Jesuit college.

Alphonsus was responsible for welcoming guests, delivering messages, running errands, distributing alms, and comforting those who came to him with their troubles. He approached each person as someone sent to him by God. He became a trusted spiritual counselor to students and others in the community.

Among those influenced by him was the young St. Peter Claver. Alphonsus encouraged him to dedicate his life to missionary work in the New World. Peter later ministered to enslaved Africans in Cartagena, Colombia.

At his superior’s direction, St. Alphonsus recorded his spiritual experiences and reflections, which were well received and widely distributed. He died on October 31, 1617, and Pope Leo XIII canonized him in 1888.