St Alphonsus Liguori was born on the 27 September 1696 in Naples, Italy. He is well known for establishing the Congregation of the Most Holy Redeemer, known today as the Redemptorists. His preaching was simple, clear and direct and he was gentle and understanding in the confessional. Alphonsus later became Bishop and was an outstanding theologian who worked through many trails and tribulations during his time. St Alphonsus Liguori died on the 1st August 1787 in Nocera, Italy and was canonised by Pope Gregory XVI in 1839. He was declared a Doctor of the Church in 1871 and is the patron saint for artritis.